Abstract
In the present study, Lactobacillus plantarum (MT, ZH593) native cells and Silybum marianum seed extract (SMSE; rich in antioxidant) were co-encapsulated in alginate microbeads by the internal gelatinization emulsion method. The effects of different concentrations of sodium alginate, SMSE and CaCl2 on microbead characteristics were optimized. Under optimum conditions small spherical microbeads (161.82 ± 13.4 μm) with the highest cell encapsulation efficiency (79.84 ± 4.07%) were produced and the highest antioxidant activity (51.92 ± 2.14%) was obtained. The results showed that the co-encapsulation of L. plantarum with SMSE significantly (P < 0.05) increased the viability of cells (approximately 0.71 log CFU/mL) and the release of the extract (approximately 9–10%) in gastric simulation and intestinal simulation fluids, respectively, when compared with microencapsulation without SMSE addition. Also, microbeads coating with whey protein isolate (WPI; 2.76%) resulted in the higher protection in simulated gastrointestinal fluids than coating with chitosan. The results of this study indicated that the WPI-coated alginate microbeads were a good carrier matrix for the controlled delivery of SMSE (as a new non-carbohydrate prebiotic compound) and increased the viability of L. plantarum in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract.
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