Delivery of Probiotics by Encapsulation Using Spray Drying Technology and Evaluation of Its Powder Qualities

Abstract:

The present study aimed to develop a nutraceutical powder containing Bifidobacterium longum and to assess its viability after spray drying.  The nutraceutical powder was prepared using B.longum and prebiotics like inulin and honey, malted Eleusine coracana and whey protein concentrate. The mixture was then incubated for 4 hours and spray dried. The optimum inlet and outlet temperature were regulated at 170^oC and 70^oC respectively after assessing the viability of Bifidobacterium and the moisture content of the spray dried powder. The viability of the B.longum  before and after spray drying were 9.80 ± 0.014 and 8.926 ± 0.017 respectively and the estimated moisture content was 4.85 ± 0.022. The study also assessed the physical and proximate composition of the nutraceutical powder. The survival of Bifidobacterium during spray drying was a challenge during the preparation of the nutraceutical mix and was overcome by adding 5 percent of the inoculum to maintain the probiotic count.