Chitosan encapsulation of Pediococcus acidilactici NCDC 252 improved its survival in simulated gastro-intestinal conditions

Understanding of probiotic health benefits resulted in their increased consumption worldwide. Strategies are being developed to protect them from harsh gastrointestinal conditions. Encapsulation is preferred because of its positive effect on probiotic survival. Pediococcus acidilactici NCDC 252 is a systematically studied LAB and enhancing its survivability while enteric delivery was the aim of this study. Meta-analysis indicated chitosan as most suitable with highest encapsulation efficiency (EE). Different parameters for encapsulation were optimised using Response surface methodology (RSM) and also in-vitro. NCDC 252 was encapsulated using extrusion method in chitosan (1%) using sodium hydroxide (10%) with recorded EE of 89.9%. ANOVA of %EE suggested significant F- (88605.97) and p value (< 0.0001). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed beads as uniform and with diameter of 1.89 mm. In-vitro survivability studies under simulated gastrointestinal conditions revealed improved survival of NCDC 252 with survival rate of 59.6% and 68.4% in gastric (pH 1.5) and intestinal (pH 7.2) conditions, respectively. It's count was maintained above recommended value (10(7) viable CFU/ml) even after sequential incubation in gastric and intestinal conditions. Chitosan encapsulation improved survival of NCDC 252 in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and thus seems to be acceptable for achieving improved viability during enteric delivery.