Probiotic-loaded microcapsule system for human in situ folate production: Encapsulation and system validation

This study focused on the use of a new system, an alginate|Ɛ-poly-L-lysine| alginate|chitosan microcapsule (APACM), able to immobilize a folate-producing probiotic, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris (LLC), which provides a new approach to the utilization of capsules and probiotics for in situ production of vitamins. LLC is able to produce 95.25±26 μg·L−1 of folate, during 10 h, andwas encapsulated in the APACM. APACMproved its capacity to protect LLC against the harsh conditions of a simulated digestion maintaining a viable concentration of 6 log CFU·mL−1of LLC. A nutrients exchange capacity test, was performed using Lactobacillus plantarum UM7, a high lactic acid producer was used here to avoid false negative results. The production and release of 2 g·L−1 of lactic acidwas achieved through encapsulation of L. plantarum, after 20 h. The adhesion of APACM to epithelial cells was also quantified, yielding 38% and 33% of capsules adhered to HT-29 cells and Caco-2 cells, respectively.The authors Philippe E. Ramos and Ana Pinheiro, are recipient of fellowships from the Fundacão para a Ciência e Tecnologia, POPHQREN and FSE (FCT, Portugal) through grants, SFRH/BD/80800/ 2012 and SFRH/BPD/101181/2014, respectively. The authors thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and the project “BioInd—Biotechnology and Bioengineering for Improved Industrial and Agro-Food Processes”, ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028 cofunded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2–O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER.