Microencapsulation of probiotics by spray drying: evaluation of survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and availability under different storage temperatures

The aim of this study was to evaluate microcapsules containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis by spray drying. Survival assays were conducted to evaluate the resistance of probiotics to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and its availability during 120 days of storage at 4°C and 25°C, besides morphological analysis of the microcapsules. Microencapsulation protected the probiotics from simulated gastrointestinal conditions, which also remained viable after 120 days of storage at 4ºC and 25ºC, but more viable at 4ºC. The microcapsules showed spherical shape with relatively smooth continuous surface without cracks. The study indicates that microcapsules of B. animalis or L. acidophilus by spray drying survive in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and can be better stored for 120 days at 4°C

Bifidobacterium animalis; Lactobacillus acidophilus; microcapsules