The Effect of the Ultra-High-Pressure Homogenization of Protein Encapsulants on the Survivability of Probiotic Cultures after Spray Drying

UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS Metabolic Profiling of a Medicinal Flourensia Fiebrigii Chemotype

The comparative metabolic profiling and their biological properties of eight extracts obtained from diverse parts (leaves, flowers, roots) of the medicinal plant Flourensia fiebrigii S.F. Blake, a chemotype growing in highland areas (2750 m a.s.l.) of northwest Argentina, were investigated. The extracts were analysed by GC-MS and UHPLC-MS/MS. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of encecalin (relative content: 24.86 %) in ethereal flower extract (EF) and this benzopyran (5.93 %) together sitosterol (11.35 %) in the bioactive ethereal leaf exudate (ELE). By UHPLC-MS/MS the main compounds identified in both samples were: limocitrin, (22.31 %), (2Z)-4,6-dihydroxy-2-[(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methylidene]-1-benzofuran-3-one (21.31 %), isobavachin (14.47 %), naringenin (13.50 %), and sternbin, (12.49 %). Phytocomplexes derived from aerial parts exhibited significant activity against biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, reaching inhibitions of 74.7-99.9 % with ELE (50 μg/mL). Notably, the extracts did not affect nutraceutical and environmental bacteria, suggesting a selective activity. ELE also showed the highest reactive species scavenging ability. This study provides valuable insights into the potential applications of this chemotype.

Polysaccharides, proteins, and their complex as microencapsulation carriers for delivery of probiotics: A review on carrier types and encapsulation techniques

Probiotics provide several benefits for humans, including restoring the balance of gut bacteria, boosting the immune system, and aiding in the management of certain conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and lactose intolerance. However, the viability of probiotics may undergo a significant reduction during food storage and gastrointestinal transit, potentially hindering the realization of their health benefits. Microencapsulation techniques have been recognized as an effective way to improve the stability of probiotics during processing and storage and allow for their localization and slow release in intestine. Although, numerous techniques have been employed for the encapsulation of probiotics, the encapsulation techniques itself and carrier types are the main factors affecting the encapsulate effect. This work summarizes the applications of commonly used polysaccharides (alginate, starch, and chitosan), proteins (whey protein isolate, soy protein isolate, and zein) and its complex as the probiotics encapsulation materials; evaluates the evolutions in microencapsulation technologies and coating materials for probiotics, discusses their benefits and limitations, and provides directions for future research to improve targeted release of beneficial additives as well as microencapsulation techniques. This study provides a comprehensive reference for current knowledge pertaining to microencapsulation in probiotics processing and suggestions for best practices gleaned from the literature.

Improving the survival of Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-1927 during microencapsulation with ultra-high-pressure-homogenized soymilk as a wall material

Probiotic foods and supplements have been shown to offer multiple potential health benefits to consumers. Dried probiotic cultures are increasingly used by the food industry because they are easily handled, transported, stored, and used in different applications. However, drying technologies often expose probiotic cells to extreme environmental conditions that reduces cell viability. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of using ultra high-pressure homogenization (UHPH) on soymilk's microencapsulating ability, and the resultant effect on the survivability of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-1927 (LP) during drying. Liquid suspensions containing LP (~10⁹ CFU/g of solids) were prepared by suspending LP cultures in soymilk which had been either treated with UHPH at 150 MPa or 300 MPa or left untreated. LP suspensions were then dried by concurrent spray drying (CCSD), mixed-flow spray drying (MXSD) or freeze-drying (FD). Cell counts of LP were determined before and after microencapsulation. Moisture, water activity, particle size and morphology of LP powders were also characterized. LP powders produced with 300 MPa treated soymilk had 8.7, 6.4, and 2 times more cell counts than those produced with non-UHPH treated soymilk during CCSD, MXSD, and FD, respectively. In the 300 MPa treated samples, cell survival (%) of LP during drying was the highest in MXSD (83.72) followed by FD (76.31) and CCSD (34.01). Using soymilk treated at higher UHPH pressures resulted in LP powders with lower moisture content, smaller particle sizes and higher agglomeration. LP powders produced via MXSD showed higher agglomeration and fewer signs of thermal damage than powders produced via CCSD. This study demonstrates that UHPH improves the effectiveness of soymilk as a microencapsulant for probiotics, creating probiotic powders that could be used in plant-based and non-dairy foods.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-1927 with Skim Milk Processed via Ultra-High-Pressure Homogenization

Several health benefits are associated with the consumption of probiotic foods. Lyophilized probiotic cultures are commonly used to manufacture probiotic-containing products. Spray drying (SDR) is a cost-effective process to microencapsulate probiotics. However, the high temperatures of the drying air in SDR can inactivate significant numbers of probiotic cells. Ultra-high-pressure homogenization (UHPH) processing can modify the configuration of proteins found in skim milk which may increase its protective properties as microencapsulating agent towards probiotic cells during SDR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microencapsulating probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-1927 (LP) with UHPH-treated skim milk after SDR or freeze drying (FD). Dispersions containing LP were made with either UHPH-treated (at 150 MPa or 300 MPa) or untreated skim milk and dried via concurrent SDR (CCSD), mixed-flow SDR (MXSD) or FD. Higher cell survival (%) of LP was found in powders microencapsulated with 150 MPa-treated skim milk than in those microencapsulated with non-UHPH-treated and 300 MPa-treated skim milk via FD followed by MXSD and CCSD, respectively. Increasing UHPH pressures increased the particle size of powders produced via CCSD; and reduced particle agglomeration of powders produced via MXSD and FD. This study demonstrated that UHPH processes improves the effectiveness of skim milk as a microencapsulating agent for LP, creating powders that could be used in probiotic foods.

Influence of freeze-drying and spray-drying preservation methods on survivability rate of different types of protectants encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus FTDC 3081

The aims of this study were to compare the effectiveness of different drying methods and to investigate the effects of adding a series of individual protectant such as skim milk, sucrose, maltodextrin, and corn starch for preserving Lactobacillus acidophilus FTDC 3081 cells during spray and freeze-drying and storage at different temperatures. Results showed a remarkable high survival rate of 70-80% immediately after spray- and freeze-drying in which the cell viability retained at the range of 10⁹ to 10¹⁰ CFU/mL. After a month of storage, maltodextrin showed higher protective ability on both spray- and freeze-dried cells as compared to other protective agents at 4°C, 25°C, and 40°C. A complete loss in viability of spray-dried L. acidophilus FTDC 3081 was observed after a month at 40°C in the absence of protective agent.