Combines spraying and freeze drying; the probiotic solution is atomized into a cryogenic medium and then freeze-dried.

Emerging Encapsulation Techniques

Interesting News . Jan 08, 2025

1. Spray-Freeze Drying

Description: Combines spraying and freeze drying; the probiotic solution is atomized into a cryogenic medium and then freeze-dried.

Encapsulate Structure: Particles with diameters of 20–80 µm.

Critical Parameters:

Merits:

Demerits:

References: [7, 17, 18, 19]

2. Refractance Window Drying

Description: The probiotic solution is spread on a transparent belt over hot water; infrared energy dries the product rapidly.

Encapsulate Structure: Flaky structures with customizable thickness.

Critical Parameters:

Merits:

Demerits:

References: [20, 21, 22]

3. Electrohydrodynamic Processes

Description: Uses electrical forces to produce fine fibers (electrospinning) or particles (electrospraying) containing probiotics.

Encapsulate Structure:

Critical Parameters:

Merits:

Demerits:

References: [7,23, 24, 25]

Summary of Encapsulation Techniques

  Encapsulate Structure  Typical Size Range  Merits  Demerits 
Spray Drying  Microcapsules  5–20 µm  Rapid process, good flow properties  Potential thermal inactivation, high costs 
Freeze Drying  Porous particles  >1 mm  Excellent rehydration, minimal oxidation  High energy consumption, expensive 
Extrusion Technique  Gel beads  0.5–3 mm  Simple, maintains viability  Difficult to scale up, larger particle sizes 
Emulsion Technique  Capsules  25 µm–2 mm  High survival rates  Variable particle sizes, shear-induced damage 
Spray-Freeze Drying  Particles  20–80 µm  Controlled size, high viability  High costs, requires cryogenic mediums 
Refractance Window Drying  Flaky structures  Customizable  Energy-efficient, rapid drying  Handling issues with sticky materials 
Electrohydrodynamic Processes  Fibers/Particles  100–800 nm  High encapsulation efficiency  Low throughput, potential cell damage 

Conclusion

Selecting an appropriate encapsulation technique is vital for the success of probiotic products. Each method offers unique advantages and faces specific challenges. Manufacturers must consider factors like scalability, cost-effectiveness, probiotic viability, and the intended application when choosing an encapsulation strategy.

How Food Research Lab Can Assist

At Food Research Lab (FRL), we offer comprehensive solutions to overcome the challenges in probiotic encapsulation: .

Our expertise ensures that your probiotic products are both effective and competitive in the market. Contact FRL today to explore how we can support your probiotic product development journey.