Microencapsulation and invitro characterization of Bifidobacterium animalis for improved survival

Ciceritol is a prebiotic that improves the gastrointestinal health and viability of probiotics. Ciceritol can be used to improve the structural defects of sodium alginate-based beads and the viability of Bifidobacterium animalis. The present study focused on ciceritol extraction to encapsulate B. animalis in alginate and alginate-ciceritol matrix to enhance the survival of probiotic after exposure to simulated gastric conditions. Ciceritol and sodium alginate were used to encapsulate B. animalis with different formulations i.e.., C0SA2 (0%:2%), C1SA2 (0.5%:2%), C2SA2 (1%:2%), C3SA2 (1.5%:2%) and C4SA2 (2%:2%). Free cells and encapsulated cells were investigated for their survival in gastrointestinal conditions. The addition of prebiotics (ciceritol) significantly (p   106 CFU/mL) as compared to free cells. All the encapsulation treatments showed good storage stability after 30 days and maximum viable count was observed in C4SA2. Results revealed that the efficiency of co-encapsulation to improve the survival of B. animalis in harsh gastrointestinal conditions.