Backgroud: For a probiotic to be viable it needs to be preserved at a recommended minimum level of 6–7 log10cfu/g in the product
being consumed, as suggested by the International Dairy Federation. Different biopolymer matrices have been used for
encapsulation of probiotic; however, loss of viability is still a challenge.
Materials and Methods: Modified citrus pectin-alginate microbeads containing
Lactobacillus acidophilus
ATCC 4356 was
developed. Efficiency of the microbeads was evaluated in simulated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and in Balb/c mice
induced with colon tumor. Genomic identification of faecal lactobacilli samples from treated mice was also performed.
Results: The Modified citrus pectin-alginate probiotic microbeads significantly enhanced the viability of
Lactobacillus acidophilus
ATCC 4356 compared to the control (p< 0.05) both
in vitro and
in vivo. Exposure of the modified citrus pectin-alginate microbeads
to 3 hours of simulated gastric juice resulted in 82.7% survival of
L. acidophilus ATCC 4356. Also, the number of faecal lactobacilli
in the modified citrus pectin-alginate probiotic treated mice increased by 10.2% after 28 days.
Conclusion: Modified citrus pectin-alginate is a novel effective means of oral delivery of bacterial cells and bioactive compounds.
Modified citrus pectin-alginate can be used in probiotic therapy which may improve the prevention of colon cancer.
