Co-encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum and bioactive compounds extracted from red beet stem (Beta vulgaris L.) by spray dryer.

Probiotic bacteria and bioactive compounds obtained from plant origin stand out as ingredients with the potential to increase the healthiness of functional foods, as there is currently a recurrent search for them. Probiotics and bioactive compounds are sensitive to intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the processing and packaging of the finished product. In this sense, the present study aims to evaluate the co-encapsulation by spray dryer (inlet air temperature 120 °C, air flow 40 L / min, pressure of 0.6 MPa and 1.5 mm nozzle diameter) of probiotic bacteria (L.plantarum) and compounds extracted from red beet stems (betalains) in order to verify the interaction between both and achieve better viability and resistance of the encapsulated material. When studying the co-encapsulation of L.plantarum and betalains extracted from beet stems, an unexpected influence was observed with a decrease in probiotic viability in the highest concentration of extract (100 %), on the other hand, the concentration of 50 % was the best enabled and maintained the survival of L.plantarum in conditions of 25 °C (63.06 %), 8 °C (88.80 %) and -18 °C (89.28 %). The viability of the betalains and the probiotic was better preserved in storage at 8 and -18 °C, where the encapsulated stability for 120 days was successfully achieved. Thus, the polyfunctional formulation developed in this study proved to be promising, as it expands the possibilities of application and development of new foods.

Use of red onion (Allium cepa L.) residue extract in the co-microencapsulation of probiotics added to a vegan product.

This study aimed to develop a functional strawberry pulp containing the combination of Lactobacillus casei and bioactive compounds from red onion peel extract into the microparticles formulations to improve bacteria survival during storage and product consumption. To achieve this goal, the addition of different concentrations of red onion peel extract added to the microparticles was evaluated: 5, 20 and 40 %. Microparticles were morphologically characterized and the encapsulation efficiency of the bioactive compounds were evaluated. The physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the fruit pulp were within the required standards, regardless of the formulation evaluated. As for the pulp added from the microparticles, their physicochemical and microbiological features and probiotic survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and storage were analyzed; the size of the microparticles ranged from 136.00 to 305.00 µm. The encapsulation efficiency of both, probiotics and compounds was satisfactory over the different treatments. Indeed, the results pointed out values in the range from 77.77 to 92.11 % for probiotic bacteria; from28.88 to 50.18 % for reducing compounds; 35.72 to 69.01 % for flavonoids; and 25.39 to 60.00 % for total monomeric anthocyanins. The formulations of alginate microparticles and alginate +5 % extract had the best results of L. casei probiotic viability in strawberry pulp under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and during storage at -18 °C for 60 days. In conclusion, red onion peel extract at low concentrations can help the survival of the probiotic L. casei under different conditions.