Effect of microencapsulation on survival of Bifidobacterium BB-12 exposed to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and heat treatments

The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival of Bifidobacterium BB-12 microencapsulated by spray drying with the partial (1:1) replacement of reconstituted skim milk (RSM) with prebiotics (inulin, oligofructose-enriched inulin, and oligofructose) during the encapsulation process (yield), and under stress conditions, such as simulated gastrointestinal conditions and heat treatments. The microcapsules produced with RSM and inulin and those produced with RSM and oligofructose-enriched inulin showed a higher viability after spray drying and encapsulation yield. All the microcapsules produced in this present study showed the highest survival rate of bifidobacteria after gastric acid fluid and bile salts tests when compared with the free cells. The microcapsules produced with RSM and inulin and those produced with RSM and oligofructose-enriched inulin also showed higher protection for bifidobacteria under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Similarly, these microcapsules showed relevant counts of bifidobacteria under extreme heat conditions. ► Survival of microencapsulated bifidobacteria with prebiotics under stress conditions. ► Microencapsulated probiotic exposed to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. ► Heat resistance of microcapsules containing bifidobacteria. ► The inulin and oligofructose-enriched inulin improved the survival of microcapsules.