Microencapsulating Alginate-Based Polymers for Probiotics Delivery Systems and Their Application

Abstract

Probiotics exhibit many health benefits and a great potential for broad applications in pharmaceutical fields, such as prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases (irritable bowel syndrome), prevention and therapy of allergies, certain anticancer effects, and immunomodulation. However, their applications are limited by the low viability and metabolic activity of the probiotics during processing, storage, and delivery in the digestive tract. To overcome the mentioned limitations, probiotic delivery systems have attracted much attention. This review focuses on alginate as a preferred polymer and presents recent advances in alginate-based polymers for probiotic delivery systems. We highlight several alginate-based delivery systems containing various types of probiotics and the physical and chemical modifications with chitosan, cellulose, starch, protein, fish gel, and many other materials to enhance their performance, of which the viability and protective mechanisms are discussed. Withal, various challenges in alginate-based polymers for probiotics delivery systems are traced out, and future directions, specifically on the use of nanomaterials as well as prebiotics, are delineated to further facilitate subsequent researchers in selecting more favorable materials and technology for probiotic delivery.

Dietary nutrients that potentially mitigate autism spectrum disorder and dietary recommendations for children and pregnant women

“…Moreover, appropriate targeted delivery systems are the key to ensuring that probiotics can withstand threats from the digestive tract and accurately reach the large intestine to perform their probiotic functions. In recent years, the construction of accurate oral delivery systems for probiotics (Luo et al., 2022), the development of novel nano‐encapsulation materials (Xu et al., 2022), and the establishment of a microencapsulated delivery system have enabled the targeted and stable release of probiotics (Wang et al., 2022). These are also important ways to improve the effectiveness of probiotics associated with ASD mitigation.…”

Viability of Free and Alginate–Carrageenan Gum Coated Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lacticaseibacillus casei in Functional Cottage Cheese

“…casei, and L. plantarum . Alginate is capable to withstand severe acidic conditions and even pH lower than 2, disintegrate the matrix, and release its constituents .…”

“…These coating materials, known for their nontoxicity, affordability, and ease of handling, are particularly suitable for encapsulation. Sodium alginate is crucial for bead or capsule development when using carrageenan gum alone proves challenging, as the latter cannot bond with calcium ions . Therefore, sodium alginate is necessary to form bonds with the hardening solution of calcium chloride.…”

Mixed fermentation and electrospray drying for the development of a novel stabilized wheat germ powder containing highly viable probiotic cultures

“…Probiotics are “live micro‐organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” (FAO/WHO, 2006 ). Prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases (irritable bowel syndrome), prevention and therapy of allergies, definite anticancer potentials, and immunomodulation are among the health benefits (Wang et al, 2022 ). In recent years, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum have been two of the most widely used probiotic strains to develop new functional foods (Poletto et al, 2019 ).…”