LAUSR

Abstract The identification of cell protecting material for probiotics is a key issue that determines the efficiency of microencapsulation by spray drying. In this study, full-fat goat’s milk and/or prebiotics (inulin and/or oligofructose) were used as carrier agents aiming to minimize the damage on the Bifidobacterium BB-12 and optimize viable cell count after the microencapsulation process. The protective effect was also evaluated when the free cells and the microcapsules were submitted to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions and after undergoing thermal treatments. The highest viability count (9.58 log CFU g −1 ) and encapsulation yield (97.43%) were noted for the microcapsules that were produced with full-fat goat’s milk only. After being submitted to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the best probiotic survival rate result was noted for the microcapsules produced with full-fat goat’s milk (94.29%), followed by those produced with full-fat goat’s milk and inulin (86.77%). All of the carrier agents improved the survival of the bifidobacteria after the microcapsules underwent thermal treatments.