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Natural hydrogels such as alginate are hopeful gadgets for cellular encapsulation, drug delivery, and many others because of their properties, such as biodegradable and non-toxic for the environment. Probiotics, as intestinal microbiota, have numerous benefits for the host's health. On the other hand, the survival of probiotics is critical, especially in the food and medicine industry, and probiotics should endure disagreeable status that occurs in passing through the gastrointestinal system. Encapsulation can be applied to protect probiotics but increase their bio-accessibility, so the survival rate of bacteria and their transportation to different body parts. In this review, the literature on delivery systems results focuses on combining alginates with other biopolymers to produce hydrogels that enclose probiotics, only increasing their encapsulation performance and survival compared to alginates in gastrointestinal simulation conditions collected. All the tastes and limitations, along with the benefits of microencapsulation of probiotics using hydrogels, can lead to the emergence of biopolymers, new ways of protecting probiotics, and ultimately producing products that are safe for consumers. [Display omitted] • Microencapsulation can shelter probiotics from noxious environmental. • Natural hydrogels such as alginate are promising systems for delivery of probiotics. • Alginate hydrogels are biologically inert materials applied in medical and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of whey protein isolate (WPI) and pectin as wall materials in encapsulation of Ziziphora clinopodiodes essential oil by ultrasonication method was compared. In this regard, using the response surface methodology, the influence of ultrasonication (US) power (50–150 W) and core-coating ratio (10–100%) on the properties of microcapsules was evaluated. Increasing US power and core-coating ratio, caused to increase and decrease the particle size, respectively. The polydispersity index (PDI) of WPI coated microcapsules was increased by increasing of US power. The Zeta potential values were increased by increasing of core-coating ratio. Also, the effect of core-coating ratio on encapsulation efficiency was more than US power. Morphological studies by SEM on optimized microcapsules showed regular spherical shapes. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the type of the wall material had no effect on the structural properties of the microparticles. FT-IR analysis confirmed the pronounced effect of electrostatic interactions in the formation of microcapsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to prepare of bionanocomposite films based on chitosan (CH) incorporated with Carum copticum essential oil and reinforced with cellulose nanofibers (CNF) or lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNF). The FTIR analysis showed new interactions in bionanocomposites. AFM and SEM analyses showed an increased roughness for bionanocomposites but suggested good dispersion of CNF and LCNF in CH matrix. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the degree of crystallinity was increased by addition of CNF/LCNF. The results suggested that the CH-EO film had high antioxidant activity and was more effective against E. coli and B. cereus bacteria than CH-EO CNF and CH-EO-LCNF films, which shows the release controlling effect of nanofibers. Mechanical properties were improved with addition of EO and CNF/LCNF. Incorporation of EO and CNF/LCNF improved water vapor barrier properties of films. In general, uniform dispersion and improving effect of LCNF on properties of CH-EO films was more than CNF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of voltage (6, 9, and 12 kV) and whey protein isolate (WPI) to lactose (Lac) ratio (3:1, 4:1, and 5:1) on the fabrication of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5-loaded bionanocomposite powder by the electrospraying method. The highest powder production yield obtained at the lowest value of voltage and WPI/Lac ratio. The entrapment efficiency increased with increasing voltage and decreasing WPI/Lac ratio. After 28 days of storage, respectively a significant and non-significant reduction in the viability of free and encapsulated L. acidophilus was observed. The highest viability of encapsulated and free probiotics was observed at 4 °C. In contrast, the lowest viability of encapsulated and free probiotics was observed at 20 °C. The morphology of the optimized electrosprayed capsules was spherical, round, and smooth. The average size distribution of the electrosprayed capsules was 435 nm. The results of FTIR showed that probiotic bacteria were loaded within the optimized bionanocomposite powder. Investigating the thermograms of the optimized electrosprayed particles and pure powder of WPI and Lac showed that the glass transition temperature of the electrosprayed particles with L. acidophilus was near to that of its polymeric materials. [Display omitted] • L. acidophilus LA5 was loaded successfully in WPI/lactose bionanocomposite powder by electrospraying. • The viability of the loaded L. acidophilus LA5 was studied at −18, 4 and 20 °C during 28 days. • The SEM images of the electrosprayed capsules optimized were spherical, round, similar, and smooth. • The FTIR showed it was possible to establish physical and chemical bonds between probiotic bacteria and used polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at 1% wt. and different concentrations of chitin nanofiber (CHNF) (1.5–6% wt.) on tensile properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), solubility, swelling, color properties and morphological characteristics of chitosan nanocomposite films were studied. FTIR results confirmed that the affinity of CHNF for interaction with chitosan chains is more than AgNPs. SEM images showed that CHNF was uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the degree of crystallinity was increased by addition of 6% CHNF. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimum amount of CHNF as nano filler. The optimization was based on maximizing tensile strength, Young’s modulus, elongation at break, L* and decreasing WVP, solubility and swelling. The results showed that the AgNPs had a negative effect on mechanical and color properties of chitosan films. But incorporation of CHNF improved their mechanical and barrier properties significantly. Lowest WVP, solubility and swelling of nanocomposite films were respectively for 6, 2 and 2% wt. of CHNF content. Considering all physical and mechanical parameters, the optimal value calculated for CHNF, was 4.55%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]