Encapsulation of lactic acid bacteria in colloidosomes.

Polymeric colloidosomes encapsulating viable lactic acid bacteria were prepared. An aqueous suspension of 153 nm poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate) latex particles plus Lactobacillus crispatus was emulsified in a continuous phase of sunflower oil. By adding a small amount of ethanol and salt to the oil phase, the latex particles at the surface of the emulsion droplets aggregate to form the colloidosome shells. The colloidosomes have been examined using optical, confocal, and scanning electron microscopies. The viability of the bacteria was tested using fluorescent molecular probes. The encapsulated lactic acid bacteria were able to metabolize glucose from solution and produce acid albeit at a slower rate compared to unencapsulated microbes. This demonstrates transport limitation through the colloidosome shell and restriction of the cellular metabolism due to encapsulation. Protection of the bacteria by encapsulation in colloidosomes was also demonstrated; a significantly larger number of encapsulated bacteria maintained viability in simulated stomach conditions compared to unencapsulated microbes.