Effective Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium infantis encapsulation with chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) and flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) mucilage and soluble protein by spray drying

Key Findings

Microencapsulation has been found to improve the survival and viability of probiotics which are ‘‘live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. It is often performed by spray drying. The composition of the encapsulating solution is important because it can define protection against oxygen, acid pH, and high salt concentration. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility to increase probiotic B. infantis ATCC 15679 and L. plantarum ATCC 8014 survival after spray drying using mucilage and soluble protein fractions from chia seeds or flaxseed as encapsulating materials. The results demonstrated that mucilage and soluble protein fractions from chia seed and flaxseed improved probiotic (B. infantis and L. plantarum) survival during spray drying and survival during storage at 4C when used as components of the encapsulation solution with maltodextrin. The effects were dependent on the presence of mucilage and/or the soluble protein fractions in the encapsulating solution.

Abstract

Mucilage (M) and soluble protein (SP) extracted from chia seed and flaxseed were used as encapsulating material for two probiotic bacteria: Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus plantarum by spray drying. Probiotic survival and viability after spray drying and during storage were evaluated. B. infantis and L. plantarum displayed high survival (⩾98%) after encapsulation with mixtures of maltodextrin (MD) combined with M and SP from flaxseed (MD:FM:FSP – 7.5:0.2:7.5%, w/w/w) and chia seed (MD:CM:CSP – 7.5:0.6:7.5%, w/w/w), respectively. These ternary blends protected the probiotics and enhanced their resistance to simulated gastric juice and bile solution. Probiotics encapsulated with the ternary blends incorporated in instant juice powder exhibited high viability (>9Log10CFU/g) after 45days refrigerated storage. Encapsulation with the ternary blends reduced particle size of the probiotic powders thereby offering additional functional benefits. Our results reveal that chia seed and flaxseed are excellent sources of probiotic encapsulating agents.