Encapsulation of probiotics: past, present and future

Abstract Background Probiotics are live microbial supplements known for its health benefits. Consumption of probiotics reported to improve several benefits including intestinal flora composition, resistance against pathogens. In the recent years, there is an increasing trend probiotic-based food products in market. Main body cells targeted reach large intestine, and must survive through acidic conditions gastric environment. It recommended formulate probiotic bacteria range 10 8 –10 9 cfu/g consumption maintain therapeutic efficacy 6 7 intestine. During gastrointestinal transit, will drastically lose viability environment (pH 2). Maintaining cell until it reaches intestine remains challenging task. Encapsulating with suitable wall material helps sustain survival during industrial processing transit. encapsulation process, completely enclosed material, different techniques spray drying, freeze extrusion, emulsification, etc. However, spray-drying freeze-drying successfully used commercial formulation; thus, we limited review those techniques. Short conclusions The rate spray-dried simulated digestion mainly depends on inlet air temperature, exposure GI condition. And fermentation, pH time important process parameters maintaining bacterial Improving extending storage be main concern successful commercialization. Graphical abstract