Investigation of Microencapsulated BSH Active Lactobacillus in the Simulated Human GI Tract

This study investigated the use of microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase (BSH) overproducing Lactobacillus plantarum 80 cells for oral delivery applications using a dynamic computer-controlled model simulating the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Bile salt deconjugation rates for microencapsulated BSH overproducing cells were 4.87 [Formula: see text] 0.28 [Formula: see text] mol/g microcapsule/h towards glycoconjugates and 0.79 [Formula: see text] 0.15 [Formula: see text] mol/g microcapsule/h towards tauroconjugates in the simulated intestine, a significant ([Formula: see text] .05) increase over microencapsulated wild-type cells. Microcapsules protected the encased cells in the simulated stomach prior to intestinal release, maintaining cell viability above [Formula: see text] cfu/mL at pH 2.5 and 3.0 and above [Formula: see text] cfu/mL at pH 2.0 after 2-hour residence times. In the simulated intestine, encased cell viability was maintained above [Formula: see text] cfu/mL after 3, 6, and 12-hour residence times in bile concentrations up to 1.0%. Results show that microencapsulation has potential in the oral delivery of live BSH active bacterial cells. However, in vivo testing is required.