Microspheres are spherical particles containing the active substance, in our case
bacterial probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), in an individually
coated form. L. rhamnosus is a natural constituent of the human intestinal flora and
is known to improve immune function, enhance healing of the intestinal mucosa, reduce
inflammation, bloating and diarrhoea. The aim of our experimental work was to formulate
sodium alginate microspheres containing L. rhamnosus bacterial strain as active ingredient
and prebiotic (galactooligosaccharide, pectin, inulin). The microspheres were formulated
using Büchi Encapsulator equipment, after which the entrapment efficiency was measured.
The lyophilized product was filled into hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) capsules
and was subjected to a dissolution assay using Erweka equipment. The number of viable
L. rhamnosus was determined from samples of the dissolution fluid. The microspheres
are lyophilised to improve shelf-life and facilitate filling into traditional capsules.
The number of viable bacteria in the lyophilizate was determined by inoculation on
medium and standard microdilution test. Microspheres containing different compositions
of pro- and prebiotics were formulated, and their antioxidant capacity was detected
by 2,2-diphenyl-l-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). We tested the anti-inflammatory effect
of the microspheres using human IL-4 ELISA Kit on colon adenocarcinoma (CaCo-2) cell
line.
