title: Evaluation of chitosan hydrochloride-alginate as enteric micro-probiotic-carrier with dual protective barriers.
abstract: In this study, the cells-free and cells-loaded chitosan hydrochloride-alginate (CHC-Alg) microcapsules were firstly fabricated with polyelectrolyte complexes via an orifice-polymerization method. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the CHC-Alg microcapsules had a typical shell-core structure and the model probiotic cells (Bacillus licheniformis) were embedded in the core in cells-loaded microcapsules. The microcapsules prepared had good thermal stability and moisture property (3.89%). Cells survival and release studies showed that the number of probiotic cells released from the cells-loaded microcapsules (approx. 6.36logCFUml-1) was 6.19logCFUml-1when they were performed in the simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 2.0) for 1h and subsequently in the simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, 0.3%) for 4h. The CHC-Alg microcapsules with favorable swelling performances were helpful to permeate the harsh acid to protect the cells in the SGF (pH 2.0). The CHC-Alg microcapsules effectively protected the model probiotic cells, which was attributed to the "dual protective barriers" of the shell-core structure, that is, the primary barrier of the Alg hydrogel layer formed with a compact polymer matrix and the secondary barrier of the PEC film formed on the surface. The microcapsules prepared could be used as an enteric micro-probiotic-carrier for designing potential probiotic delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Biotechnology of Anhui Province, Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Xi
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Biotechnology of Anhui Province, Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Biotechnology of Anhui Province, Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
authors.forename: Qiu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Biotechnology of Anhui Province, Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China. Electronic address: tongwy@ahu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Wang-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Biotechnology of Anhui Province, Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069976:Bacillus licheniformis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D050296:Microbial Viability; D019936:Probiotics / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Micro-probiotic-carrier; Microencapsulation; Polyelectrolyte complexes