Microencapsulation of Bifidobacterium longum 51A cells by spray drying and its incorporation in acerola (Malpighia emarginata) pulp powder

Market of functional foods grows intensely, such as of fruit juice containing probiotics. However, the survival of the microorganism can be compromised by the low pH of such matrix, and the way of minimizing this acid stress is the use of microencapsulation techniques such as by spray drying. In this study, three formulations were tested for the encapsulation of Bifidobacterium longum 5(1A), and the viability was evaluated during storage after the atomization process and after addition in acerola pulp powder. All formulations offered equivalent protection of the bifidobacteria just after microencapsulation. When microencapsulated cells were incorporated to acerola pulp powder, a higher protection for B. longum 5(1A) viability was observed when cellulose acetate phthalate was used after 30 days of storage both at room temperature and refrigeration. Concluding, acerola pulp matrix can be used as an alternative vehicle for probiotic administration, even when stored at room temperature.

Automated summary

The study showed that microencapsulation techniques can effectively improve the survival rate of probiotics, especially when incorporated into plant pulp powder. Acerola pulp matrix can be used as an alternative vehicle for probiotic administration, maintaining efficacy even when stored at room temperature.