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Cited by 18Microencapsulation and Drying ProcessesProbiotics and Fermented FoodsAdvanced Drug Delivery Systems

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Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum using cellulose-based polymers by spray-drying: A probiotic-delivery system for enhanced acid-resistance and storage stability

Gazalian, Danial, Aliahmadi, Atousa, Rafati, Hasan·2025·International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
DOI 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143634
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Abstract

Microencapsulation of probiotics enhances their survival during processing, storage, and oral delivery. This study investigates the use of hypromellose phthalate (HPMCP) alone and in combination with hypromellose (HPMC) as a cellulose-based coating for Lactobacillus plantarum to enhance its survival during spray-drying and gastrointestinal transit. The microcapsules were characterized for physicochemical properties and cell viability under storage and simulated gastrointestinal fluids (SGF/SIF). The encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum showed higher survivability during spray-drying, increasing from 78.33 % for free cells to 91.59 % and 94.27 % for HPMCP and HPMCP/HPMC blend microcapsules, respectively. SEM images confirmed successful encapsulation with smooth particle surfaces. As confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC revealed a significant increase in glass transition temperature (T g), indicating enhanced matrix rigidity. The microcapsules maintained viable cells of >10 9 CFU/g for up to 12 weeks under different storage conditions. Survival in SGF improved significantly, with HPMCP and HPMCP/HPMC blend microcapsules showing only 0.34 and 0.8 log CFU/g cell loss, respectively, compared to a 3.36 log CFU/g reduction for free cells. After 6 h incubation in SGF/SIF, both formulations showed survival rates >10 6 CFU/g. These results highlight the potential of cellulose-based polymers for the development of innovative probiotic products.

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Metadata

Authors
Gazalian, D., Aliahmadi, A., & Rafati, H.
Affiliations
Shahid Beheshti University (IR)
Corresponding author
  • Aliahmadi, Atousa
  • Rafati, Hasan
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-06
Volume
311
Issue
Pt 2
Pages
143634
ISSN
0141-8130 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143634
OpenAlex
W4409920886
Cited by
18
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 5
FWCI
8.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Microencapsulation and Drying Processes
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
Keywords
Lactobacillus plantarum, probiotic encapsulation, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, spray drying, acid resistance, simulated gastrointestinal fluids, storage stability, cell viability, glass transition temperature, probiotic delivery systems
MeSH terms
Spray Drying, Capsules, Cellulose, Drug Compounding, Drug Delivery Systems, Probiotics, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Microbial Viability, Hypromellose Derivatives

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum using cellulose-based polymers by spray-drying: A probiotic-delivery system for enhanced acid-resistance and storage stability. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143634
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Gazalian, D., Aliahmadi, A., & Rafati, H. (2025). Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum using cellulose-based polymers by spray-drying: A probiotic-delivery system for enhanced acid-resistance and storage stability. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143634