Encapsulation and dispersion of Lactobacillus acidophilus in a chocolate coating as a strategy for maintaining cell viability in cereal bars.

Flour from Pereskia aculeata leaf and green banana were used as ingredients in the formulation of a cereal bar with added Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02-ID-1688. Encapsulation in a calcium-alginate hydrogel reinforced with magnesium hydroxide was used as a strategy to protect the probiotic cells under gastrointestinal conditions and to prolong shelf-life. The results are relevant especially for maintaining cell viability during shelf-life; a challenge for the food industry in relation to dry probiotic products. Encapsulation promoted the protection of probiotic cells in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions, allowing the maintenance of high viable cell counts (> 10 log CFU, colony forming unit). Encapsulation also contributed to cellular protection under extreme temperature conditions, with reductions of cell viability of < 1 logarithmic cycle when the capsules were subjected to 55ºC/10 min. Even at 75ºC/10 min, encapsulation protected the probiotic cells 3-times greater than the free-cells. The food bar proved to be rich in dietary fiber (19 g 100 g), lipids (12.63 g 100 g) and showed an appreciable protein content (5.44 g 100 g). A high viable probiotic cell count on storage over 120 days (12.54 log CFU) was observed, maintaining a probiotic survival rate > 90% and viability levels sufficient to promote health benefits.