Release studies of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota from chitosan-coated alginate-starch microcapsules in ex vivo porcine gastrointestinal contents

Aims:Ã"šÃ‚ To investigate the release characteristics of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LCS) from chitosan-coated alginate-starch (CCAS) capsule in different regions of ex vivo porcine gastrointestinal (GI) contents. Methods and Results:Ã"šÃ‚ A 0Ã"šÃ‚·1Ã"šÃ‚ g of CCAS encapsulated bacteria (containing c. 108Ã"šÃ‚ CFU of LCS) were incubated in different sections of ex vivo porcine GI contents (10Ã"šÃ‚ ml) anaerobically at 37Ã"šÃ‚°C. Samples were taken from different GI contents at different time intervals (up to 24Ã"šÃ‚ h) and estimated for the release of LCS from capsules. There was almost a complete release (1Ã"šÃ‚·1Ã"šÃ‚ ÃƒÆ’â€"Ã"šÃ‚ 108Ã"šÃ‚ CFU) of LCS from capsules within 8Ã"šÃ‚ h of incubation in ileal contents, while it took nearly 12Ã"šÃ‚ h to release the completely encapsulated bacteria in colon content under similar conditions. There was only a partial release of encapsulated LCS, incubated in duodenal and jejunal contents, while there was no significant (PÃ"šÃ‚ >Ã"šÃ‚ 0Ã"šÃ‚·05) release of encapsulated bacteria in gastric contents even after 24Ã"šÃ‚ h of incubation. Conclusions:Ã"šÃ‚ The capsules were able to release viable probiotic cells completely in ex vivo porcine ileal and colon contents. Significance and Impact of the Study:Ã"šÃ‚ CCAS capsule can be an effective way of protecting probiotic bacteria from adverse gastric conditions and delivering viable bacteria to the host intestinal systems.