SupplySide West Preview: Probiotic Seminar to Explore Benefits of Microencapsulation

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Probiotics are tackling all kinds of new product types these days, but there are still limitations to formulating with these beneficial microorganisms. Many food and supplement ingredients are toxic to probiotics, and environmental conditions can result in a shortened shelf life. Even after probiotics are ingested, harsh gastric conditions can mean only a fraction of the probiotics actually survive and reach the intestinal tract.

It’s because of these challenges that Pharmachem Laboratories Inc. (Kearny, NJ) believes “the future of probiotics is in delivery forms,” according to Gregory Bonfilio, business development manager, Pharmachem. Consumers are increasingly looking to new delivery forms for probiotics, such as chocolate, sprinkle delivery forms, and instant powder drinks, says Bonfilio. But is probiotic technology ready for these new delivery forms?

Microbac Probiotic Encapsulation

One way to achieve these formulations may be probiotic encapsulation, the topic of an upcoming Vendor Brief seminar sponsored by Pharmachem at this year’s SupplySide West trade show (October 5-9) in Las Vegas. Ralf Jäger, PhD, will be discussing Pharmachem’s Microbac encapsulation technology in his presentation “Encapsulated Probiotics; Increase Shelf Life and Bioactivity, Reduce Costs” at booth #201 on October 7 at 3:00 p.m. Pharmachem supplies Microbac as part of a licensing agreement with Probiotical (Novara, Italy).

“Dr. Jäger will discuss Probiotical’s Microbac probiotic coating technology and its benefits: increased delivery form options, stability, and efficacy,” says Bonfilio. “Microbac encapsulated strains will allow [formulators] to use probiotics in new, previously challenging product formulations while reducing costs at the same time.”

Microbac encapsulation technology uses “controlled-release gastro-resistant vegetable oils” to protect probiotic strains during manufacturing and increase colonization rates in the gut, says Bonfilio. He adds that Microbac allows for increased shelf life, reduced overages, and development of products in challenging delivery forms such as beverages. Microbac-encapsulated strains are also better-suited to survive the gastro intestinal tract, “allowing five times less strains to be used,” according to Pharmachem.

“Microbac strains simply make complex powder blends, instant beverages, sprinkles, chocolates, oil droppers, chewable tablets, and other types of products more feasible,” says Bonfiliio. “Using less of a more stable powder is always the best option, and to be able to combine with other actives is a win-win.”

New Research

During the seminar, Jäger will also present some of the latest clinical studies on Probiotical’s proprietary strains, including research on celiac disease, antibiotic treatment, inflammation regulation, immunomodulation for lung health, anti-aging, and improving the omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio.

Pharmachem believes this new clinical data on probiotic health areas beyond immunity and gut health will “broaden the consumer base and create new and exciting sales opportunities.”

Finally, Jäger will also discuss the proper assay of coated strains and the advantages of flow cytometry enumeration, says Bonfilio.

“This rapid and sensitive medical technology allows us to reliably distinguish between live, dead, and injured bacteria-even in a mixed population of bacteria types,” says Bonfilio. “We believe this new technology will greatly increase the speed and accuracy of testing probiotic organisms.”

Read more:

Probiotics May Improve Mood

Probiotics: 2015 Ingredients to Watch for Food, Beverage, Supplements

Probiotics Opening New Doors

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com