Abstract

The study aimed to develop a microencapsulated probiotic (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) delivery method, cryoprotected by chitosan-inulin complex microcapsules and freeze-dried to obtain maximum cell viability. Probiotic viability was assessed using simulated gastrointestinal conditions and storage at different temperatures. The L. plantarum microcapsules were developed using a Box-Behnken experimental design with varied concentrations of CaCl2, chitosan, and Inulin as an encapsulant agents. In addition, the current study used the response surface approach to explore the influence of various formulations and storage capsulate viabilities to verify an optimized L plantarum formulation. Under optimum conditions, small microbeads with the highest cell encapsulation efficiency were produced and the highest cell viability (68.33 %) was obtained. The results showed that the intelligent microcapsule of L. plantarum with SM significantly increased the viability of cells (p < 0.05) (approx. 108 log CFU/mL) and the release of the extract (85 %) in gastric simulation and intestinal simulation fluids, respectively when compared with free bacteria. In general, microencapsulated L. plantarum under previously optimized freeze-drying conditions showed promising efficiency that depends on cell viability during drying, gastrointestinal treatment, and refrigerated storage conditions and on the physicochemical properties of the powders. © 2024 The Author(s)