Investigation of Encapsulated Lactic Acid Bacteria under Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions

Mohamed, Esraa Esmael; Elalfy, Mohamed Bedir; Abdelaty, Abdelaty Mohamed; Mabrouk, Atallah Abe Delrasik

doi:10.21608/assjm.2025.354402.1345

Investigation of Encapsulated Lactic Acid Bacteria under Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Dairy science department, agriculture benha university

² Dairy Sci. Dept., Fac. Agric., Moshtohor, Benha University, Egypt.

³ Dairy Dept., Fac. Agric., Moshtohor, Benha University

⁴ Dairy Sci. Dept., Fac. Agric.,Moshtohor, Benha University

10.21608/assjm.2025.354402.1345

Abstract

The main goal of this research was to examine the viability of five strains of encapsulated lactic acid bacteria [LAB] (Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917, Lactobacillus casei NCAIM B01137, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ISO7, Bifidobacterium breve ISO8 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides DSM 20343) in model solutions designed to simulate the acidity, bile salt, and phenol concentrations identified within the human gastrointestinal system. The capsules were formulated using sodium alginate and kappa (k)-carrageenan. The application of sodium alginate and k-carrageenan has been shown to provide ideal properties for the encapsulation of live bacteria strains. All bacteria grew well in the presence of 0.1 and 0.5% bile salt during incubation to 6 hours except Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides DSM 20343 was sensitive to bile salt concentrations. At pH 7.0 (control), survival of LAB in MRS medium remained stable after 6 hours of incubation at 37 regardless of whether they were encapsulated or non-encapsulated. At a pH of 3, the number of encapsulated LAB exhibited a minor reduction after 6 hours of incubation, whereas the free cells showed a one-log decrease under comparable conditions. The survival of all LAB strains decreased by increasing the salt concentration during the incubation time up to 6 hours. All tested LAB strains showed resistance to Gentamycin, Kanamycin, Erythromycin and Lincomycin. Research indicated that capsules made from sodium alginate and k-carrageenan effectively safeguarded the tested strains against gastric acid, leading to a significant release of viable bacteria in the intestine.

Keywords