Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewedRegenerative

Application of Encapsulation Strategies for Probiotics: From Individual Loading to Co-Encapsulation

Sofia Agriopoulou; Maria Tarapoulouzi; Theodoros Varzakas; Seid Mahdi Jafari

Microorganisms · 2023

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Summary

This narrative review examines encapsulation technology as a strategy to protect and enhance the efficacy of probiotics in food systems. The authors consider both single-strain and co-encapsulation approaches, assessing how encapsulation improves probiotic stability, survival through food processing stages and storage, and delivery to the target site in the gastrointestinal tract. The review addresses encapsulation techniques and controlled-release mechanisms relevant to sustainable food production.

Regional applicability

The findings on encapsulation techniques for probiotic preservation are directly applicable to UK food manufacturing and functional food development. However, the review does not examine UK-specific regulatory frameworks (e.g. Food Standards Agency guidance) or climate considerations affecting probiotic viability in British food storage conditions.

Key measures

Probiotic survival rates, stability during processing and storage, viability during gastrointestinal transit, encapsulation techniques and controlled release mechanisms

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises evidence on encapsulation strategies for protecting and delivering probiotics in food production, examining both individual and co-encapsulation approaches. The paper evaluates how encapsulation improves probiotic stability, survival during processing and storage, and efficacy through gastrointestinal transit.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Gut microbiome & human health
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Food supply chain
DOI
10.3390/microorganisms11122896
Catalogue ID
NRmo9rin9c-0zw

Topic tags

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