The influence of different polymers on viability of Bifidobacterium lactis 300b during encapsulation, freeze-drying and storage.

Seven different types of natural polymers namely hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sodium-carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), starch BR-07, starch BR-08, dextrin and pullulan were used in order to develop the optimal formula for the entrapment of Bifidobacterium lactis 300B in Ca-alginate based granules. Laminar flow drip casting with Brace-Encapsulator was used in order to prepare the granules. The results showed that alginate/pullulan and alginate/HPMC formulation provide high protection for the bacterial strain used for encapsulation. These two formulations were further used to obtain freeze dried granules, for which the viability in time and at different temperatures was tested. The final results showed a higher viability than the level of the therapeutic minimum (>10(7) CFU/g) after 15 days of storage. Other parameters like entrapment efficiency, production rate, sphericity, flowability were also discussed.