Hybrid coating of alginate microbeads based on protein-biopolymer multilayers for encapsulation of probiotics.

A hybrid coating based on multilayers of proteins and biopolymers was developed to enhance the protection performance of alginate microbeads against acidic conditions for delivery of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG). Zeta potential measurements and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation confirmed layer-by-layer deposition of protein-polymer layers. The stability of protein-based coatings during simulated gastric fluid (SGF) treatment was monitored by microscopy.

Chitosan-dextran sulfate hydrogels as a potential carrier for probiotics.

Physical and chemical (crosslinked with genipin) hydrogels based on chitosan and dextran sulfate were developed and characterized as novel bio-materials suitable for probiotic encapsulation. The swelling of the hydrogels was dependent on the composition and weakly influenced by the pH of the media. The morphology analysis supports the swelling data showing distinct changes in microstructure depending on the composition.

Design of a potentially prebiotic and responsive encapsulation material for probiotic bacteria based on chitosan and sulfated β-glucan.

Hypothesis: Chitosan and sulfated oat β-glucan are materials suitable to create a prebiotic coating for targeted delivery to gastrointestinal system, using the layer by layer technology.

Experiment: Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to assess the multilayer formation capacity and characterize the resulting coatings in terms of morphology and material properties such as structure and rigidity. The coating of colloidal materials was proven, specifically on L.

Surface cationized cellulose nanofibrils for the production of contact active antimicrobial surfaces.

In the last decade, a new fiber pretreatment has been proposed to make easy cellulose fibrillation into microfibrils. In this context, different surface cationized MFC was prepared by optimizing the experimental parameters for cellulose fibers pretreatment before fibrillation. All MFCs were characterized by conductometric titration to establish degree of substitution, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical microscopy assessed the effect of pretreatment on the morphology of the ensuing MFCs.