Oyster shell based indirect carbonation integrated with probiotic encapsulation

Abstract

Recycling oyster shells—an abundant industrial waste—is essential to reduce marine pollution. Indirect carbonation is promising; however, is cost-prohibitive. This study is a pioneering endeavor to merge indirect carbonation and probiotic encapsulation technologies using oyster shells. Probiotics were encapsulated in the CaCO 3 produced through indirect carbonation with oyster shells, and the performance was evaluated. Confocal laser scanning microscopy certified the survival of a substantial proportion of the encased probiotics. Importantly, the majority of the enveloped probiotics demonstrated robust survivability while passing through gastrointestinal and bile fluids. These findings underscore the applicability of oyster shells as an optimal precursor for probiotic encapsulation which is eco-friendly and addresses the challenges faced in industrial waste recycling. This novel approach overcomes the economic limitations associated with indirect carbonation and mitigates the shortcomings of existing probiotic encapsulation methods. Convergence of indirect carbonation and probiotic encapsulation technologies can chart new routes for the environmental sector. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-024-72976-x.