title: Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum DKL 109 using External Ionic Gelation Method.
abstract: The aim of this study was to apply the external ionic gelation using an atomizing spray device comprised of a spray gun to improve the viability of Lactobacillus plantarum DKL 109 and for its commercial use. Three coating material formulas were used to microencapsulate L. plantarum DKL 109: 2% alginate (Al), 1% alginate/1% gellan gum (Al-GG), and 1.5% alginate/3% gum arabic (Al-GA). Particle size of microcapsules was ranged from 18.2 to 23.01 μm depending on the coating materials. Al-GA microcapsules showed the highest microencapsulation yield (98.11%) and resulted in a significant increase in survivability of probiotic in a high acid and bile environment. Encapsulation also improved the storage stability of cells. The viability of encapsulated cells remained constant after 1-mon storage at ambient temperature. The external ionic gelation method using an atomizing spray device and the Al-GA seems to be an efficient encapsulation technology for protecting probiotics in terms of scale-up potential and small microcapsule size.
authors.affiliation: R&D Center, Danone Pulmuone Co., Seoul 136-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Honam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resource & Science, Dankook University, Cheonan 330-714, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol-Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resource & Science, Dankook University, Cheonan 330-714, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Lactobacillus plantarum; atomizing spray device; external gelation; probiotics