Effect of microencapsulation of Lactobacillus salivarus 29 into alginate/chitosan/alginate microcapsules on viability and cytokine induction.

Harsh gastric condition causes low bioavailability of probiotics when supplied orally. Polymeric encapsulation has successfully protected bacteria from harsh gastric condition and ultimately increased persistency and multiplication at the targeted region. In this study, we encapsulated LS29 into ACA microcapsules and characterized them. The survivability and release of LS29 from LS29-loaded ACA microcapsules in SGF and SIF were studied. Encapsulation efficiency of LS29 in ACA microcapsules was 99.9%. Approximately 70% of bacteria survived at pH 2 by 120 min after encapsulation. Although not much difference of the survivability of LS29 encapsulated into ACA and FDACA was observed, freeze-drying improved the controlled-release of LS29 in SIF and also showed better storage survivability at 4°C for 8 weeks. Furthermore, investigation of in vitro production of cytokines in RAW264.7 showed high level of induction of TNF-α and IL-10. These in vitro results support that the LS29 might have a balanced immunomodulatory effect.