Whey protein coating bead improves the survival of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505 to low pH.

2012-04-20
Letters in applied microbiology 54(6)

PubMed: 22448978
DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2012.03247.x

Study Design

Population: Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505
Methods: Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505 was encapsulated by ionotropic gelation using pectin (PE) and pectin-whey protein (PE-WP); both types of beads were covered with a layer of whey protein by complex coacervation.

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy of a novel microencapsulation procedure using whey protein and pectin to improve the survival rate of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505 to low pH and bile.

Methods and results

Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505 was encapsulated by ionotropic gelation using pectin (PE) and pectin-whey protein (PE-WP). Both types of beads (MC(PE/WP) and MC(PE-WP/WP)) were covered with a layer of whey protein by complex coacervation. The noncapsulated lactobacilli were not sensitive to bile salts but to acid. Both microparticles protected Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 at pH 2.0, but only MC(PE/WP) was effective at pH 1.2.

Conclusions

The combination of ionotropic gelation and complex coacervation techniques is efficient to obtain microcapsules of pectin covered with whey proteins. The MC(PE/WP) beads were more stable than the MC(PE-WP/WP) beads in simulated gastric conditions, thus offering better protection to Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 at low pH.

Significance and impact of the study

Pectin beads with a whey protein layer (MC(PE/WP)) could be used as probiotic carrier in functional foods of low pH (e.g. apple juice), thus protecting Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 against the stressful conditions of the gastric tract.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505	—	Improved Survival of Probiotic Bacteria	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Both microparticles protected Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 at pH 2.0, but only MC(PE/WP) was effective at pH 1.2... MC(PE/WP) beads were more stable than the MC(PE-WP/WP) beads in simulated gastric conditions, thus offering better protection to Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 at low pH.