MICROENCAPSULATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF VIABILITY OF LACTOBACILLUS RHAMNOSUS GG

Probiotics are microorganisms which, when taken orally, give benificial results for human gut wellbeing. In this study, microcapsules loaded with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) were prepared with the traditional extrusion method using low methoxy pectin (3%) alone and in combination with cellulose derivatives and coated with and without Cellacefate (10 % w/V) solution as an enteric coating material. Non capsulated and encapsulated cells were exposed to simulated gastrointestinal fluids for 6 h, and then evaluated for viability using plate counts method. All encapsulated formulations were able to improve the viability of LGG during passage through the harsh condition of GIT and the Cellacefate coated formulations were able to maintain viable bacterial concentration of >107 CFU/g (minimum concentration of probiotics for health benefit).This study reports the viability of encapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in LMP coated bead was higher than the controlled and non coated beads.