Abstract

The effects of wall materials and encapsulation by lyophilization on the viability of Weissella confusa were evaluated. Aloe vera gel, sodium casein at 5 and 15% p/v, sodium alginate at 2% p/v, buffer phosphate, and a mixture (Aloe vera gel, sodium casein, and sodium alginate) as wall materials, were used. Bacteria without encapsulation (W. confusa) as control were used. Encapsulated bacteria were freeze dried for 48 h, in order to determine their viability in the freezing and sublimation-drying stages. Results indicate that bacteria without encapsulation, showed greater loss of viability in the sublimation-drying stage. All the wall materials evaluated, may be used for encapsulation of bacteria, because, at the end of the freeze-drying process, the encapsulated bacteria showed higher viability percentages than non-encapsulated bacteria, with significant statistical difference (p<0.05). The protective effect of wall materials was higher in the sublimation-drying stage, compared to freezing stage.

Key word: Aloe, Weissella, probiotic, encapsulation.