Preparation of probiotic-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and in vitro survival in gastrointestinal conditions

Abstract

In the present study, Probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum) loaded-solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. Probiotics have proven to possess significant potential in addressing a range of conditions, encompassing neurodegenerative disorders, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory conditions. Additionally, they show efficacy in sustaining a harmonious gut microbiota ecosystem. SLNs were prepared by using solvent emulsification-diffusion technique. The size and morphology of prepared probiotic-loaded SLNs were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The activity or viability of probiotics might be compromised in the challenging gastric conditions of the stomach or in the presence of bile salts. Furthermore, they may face vulnerability to thermal or oxidative stress during preparation and storage. Hence, there is a need for stable probiotic formulations to surmount diverse physicochemical, biopharmaceutical, and biological barriers, ensuring maximal therapeutic effectiveness and clinical applicability. In vitro experiments were carried out with the aim of examining the viability of bacterial cells under gastrointestinal conditions. Encapsulation of the cells protect the cell numbers (colony forming unit) when compared to free bacteria. Nevertheless, the number of probiotic cells decreased in gastrointestinal acidic condition in contrast to free cells. Overall encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum in SLN’s plays an important role in enhancing viability and stability which consequently enhance the survival of bacteria against gastrointestinal environmental conditions.