Synthesis of Chitosan-coated Alginate Capsules for Encapsulating Probiotics

Abstract

Alginate capsules for encapsulating probiotics were synthesized under mild conditions without using harmful chemicals. When alginate capsules were synthesized using glucono-δ-lactone while suppressing the rapid pH drop of the inner water phase, it was possible to encapsulate living lactic acid bacteria. It was also found that coating the alginate capsule surface with chitosan improved the protective effect of the encapsulated lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, culturing the encapsulated bacteria inside the capsules increased the number of living bacteria to meet the minimum recommended level for probiotic effect. Finally, we demonstrated that almost all encapsulated bacteria were released within 60 minutes in simulated intestinal fluid. From the above, it was suggested that the chitosan-coated alginate capsules synthesized in this study can be used as capsules for encapsulating probiotics.