Co-encapsulation of lactic acid bacteria and prebiotic with alginate-fenugreek gum-locust bean gum matrix: Viability of encapsulated bacteria under simulated gastrointestinal condition and during storage time

The aim of this study was to enhance the viability of probiotic strains Pediococcus pentosaceus KID7, Lactobacillus plantarum KII2, Lactobacillus fermentum KLAB6 and Lactobacillus helveticus KII13 in gastrointestinal transit, freeze-drying condition and during storage time by microencapsulation using a combination of alginate, fenugreek gum and locust bean gum. The microcapsules were prepared using various ratio of alginate to fenugreek gum to locust bean gum and tested for its dissolution in colonic fluid. The combination that efficiently dissolved in colonic fluid was selected for co-encapsulation of the probiotic strains and prebiotics to produce synbiotic microcapsules. Further, we observed that the bacteria encapsulated with alginate-fenugreek gum-locust bean gum (AFL) matrix tolerated gastrointestinal condition efficiently compared to non-encapsulated bacteria. The encapsulated bacterial cells retained higher viability than non-encapsulated cells during freeze-drying condition and subsequent storage for 3 months at 4A degrees C. These results show the utility of AFL matrix in microencapsulation of probiotics for use in food industry.