Approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics: a review

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to attempt to highlight various approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics, with special emphasis on micro-encapsulation. Design/methodology/approach - Various techniques, such as selection of acid and bile resistant: strains, use of oxygen impermeable packaging materials, two-step fermentation, stress adaptation, inclusion of micro-nutrient, sonication of bacteria and micro-encapsulation, which could be employed for maintaining or enhancing probiotic viability are discussed, with special emphasis on micro-encapsulation. Findings - Probiotics lose their viability during gastro-intestinal transit due to unfavorable intestinal environment. Amongst diverse techniques micro-encapsulation could confer protection to the probiotics both in the product as well as in the gastro-intestinal environment. Originality/value - The paper shows that micro-encapsulation of probiotics renders them stable both in the product as well as in the intestinal environment and application of encapsulated probiotics would result in a product with greater prophylactic activities.