Microencapsulation of Probiotics and their Applications: A Review of the Literature
Abstract
Probiotics are microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining intestinal microbial balance and supporting overall health. They include various strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, Pediococcus, and yeast. Additionally, other probiotic strains available include Saccharomyces, Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococci, and Weissella spp. While probiotics are commonly found in dairy products, they are also present in non-dairy products. These intestinal commensals are clinically proven to enhance human health by influencing gut function and immune responses including immunotolerance, and impacting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and associated immune system. Probiotics have been shown to help prevent and treat digestive disorders like acute, nosocomial, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea; allergic conditions including atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis in infants; as well as Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and certain inflammatory bowel abnormalities in adults. Moreover, probiotics may serve as coadjuvants in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. Despite these benefits, the diverse, strain-specific mechanisms by which probiotics work are often underexplored. Probiotics are known for their antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties, anti-infective effects, immune system stimulation, serum cholesterol reduction, relief from lactose intolerance, and nutritional enhancement. This review addresses the principal mechanisms of probiotic action, challenges in microbial delivery, and factors affecting microencapsulation efficiency. It also explores the purposes, benefits, and drawbacks of various probiotic encapsulating materials, and provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of microencapsulated probiotics.