Electrospinning as a novel strategy for Encapsulation ofBifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB۱۲ in Chitosan and Inulinnanofibers

Background and Aim : Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when administered at adequatelevels, confer health benefits to the host. However, probiotic microorganisms are generally verysensitive to the surrounding harsh environment, such as acidic, high-temperature, and high oxygenconditions. The encapsulation of probiotics aims to create a safe microenvironment for the deliveryof these microorganisms into the gut where they regulate bodily functions and human health.Methods : In the present study, optimization of encapsulation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.Lactis BB۱۲ using inulin (۲-۴% w/v) and chitosan (۲.۵-۳.۵% w/v) were investigated. In allexperiments electrospinning, the distance from the tip of the needle to the encapsulating agentswas ۱۵ cm and the voltage was ۱۸ kV. In the next step, the characteristics of producedmicrocapsules including pH and the morphology and size of microcapsules were evaluated.Furthermore, the survival of free and encapsulated probiotic bacteria under the simulatedgastrointestinal conditions (Pepsin ۳ g/L and Oxgall ۰.۳ g/L) at ۳۷ °C for ۴۸-۷۲ h was studied. Thesurvival of encapsulated probiotics was monitored after ۰, ۱۰ and ۱۸ days.Results : The optimized formula for encapsulation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. LactisBB۱۲ was ۳% (w/v) chitosan, ۴% (w/v) inulin and ۱۴% (w/v) gelatin in the ratio ۰.۵:۱:۶. Scanningelectron microscopy analysis revealed the smooth and uniform surface morphology. The diameterof nanofibers was in the range of ۰.۹۹ to ۱.۱۱nm and the pH of encapsulated nanofibers was ۴.۹۳.The viable count in the case of encapsulated cells (۱.۹×۱۰۶ CFU/mL) exhibited better survivalcompared to free cells (۱.۶×۱۰۳ CFU/mL). The viable cell count of probiotic bacteria from۶.۳×۱۰۷ at day zero decreased to ۵.۳×۱۰۴ after ۱۰ days and ۲×۱۰۱ after ۱۸ days.Conclusion : The results of this research suggested that the encapsulation of probiotic bacteriacould consider as an effective method that improves bacterial survival in gastrointestinal conditionand as a result, it can be used during in vivo applications including biopharmacy and the foodindustry.

کلیدواژه ها:

Chitosan ، Encapsulation ، Inulin ، Probiotics ، Nanofibers