Effect of Microencapsulation on Survival at Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions and Heat Treatment of a Non Probiotic Strain, 48M, and the Probiotic Strain DSM 17938.

Cells of the probiotic strain DSM 17938 and of the non-probiotic strain 48M were microencapsulated in alginate matrix by emulsion technique. Survival of microorganisms in the microcapsules was tested against gastrointestinal (GI) simulated conditions and heat stress. Results demonstrated that the microencapsulation process improved vitality of 48M cells after GI conditions exposure, allowing survival similarly to the probiotic DSM 17938. Moreover, microencapsulation was able to protect neither DSM 17938 nor 48M cells when exposed to heat treatments. Microencapsulated DSM 17938 cells were still able to produce reuterin, an antimicrobial agent, as well as free cells.