Lactose-free skim milk and prebiotics as carrier agents of Bifidobacterium BB-12 microencapsulation: physicochemical properties, survival during storage and in vitro gastrointestinal condition behaviour

Abstract

Bifidobacterium BB-12 was microencapsulated by spray drying using lactose-free milk, lactose-free milk and inulin, and lactose-free milk and oligofructose, resulting in powders 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The highest encapsulation yield (88.01%) and the highest bifidobacteria viability during 120 days of storage were noted for spray-dried powder 2. Spray-dried powders 1 and 3 show a higher tendency to yellow colour. After being submitted to in vitro-simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the best probiotic survival rate result was found for spray-dried powder 3 (87.59%). Therefore, spray-dried powders containing prebiotics were the most appropriate combinations for microencapsulation of Bifidobacterium BB-12 and maintenance of cell viability during storage and gastrointestinal system, showing great potential to be used in lactose-free dairy products.