Preparation and properties of milk proteins-based encapsulated probiotics: a review

The potential health and nutritional benefits of probiotics have boosted the demand for functional probiotic foods. The efficacy of probiotics depends on providing a specific number of viable cells on their consumption. Microencapsulation (ME) has been used to provide protection for probiotics all through food processing and marketing until they reach the target site in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The biomaterials and techniques used in ME are the main factors affecting the viability of encapsulated probiotics. Milk proteins offer several advantages in comparison to other biomaterials widely used in ME of probiotics. Several techniques have been developed for the use of whey proteins and casein in ME of several Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains. Also, the survival of probiotics encapsulated in milk proteins during preparation, storage, and in simulated GI environment has been studied. The present review gives an overview on the use of milk proteins in ME of probiotics with emphasis on the efficiency of the developed techniques.