ABSTRACT
Gel beads were prepared by extrusion of various types of pectin into 0.15 M calcium chloride. Size, morphology, and textural properties of 3 types of beads were evaluated and it was established that the use of 3 w/v % amidated pectin provides the optimal characteristics suitable for encapsulation of live bacteria. Lactobacillus casei NCIMB 30185 (PXN37) was encapsulated into calcium pectinate gel through the extrusion of a live bacteria dispersion in 3 w/v % pectin into a solution of calcium chloride. The capsules were then additionally coated with chitosan. The viability of bacteria within these capsules was studied under model gastrointestinal conditions in vitro (simulated gastric and intestinal juices). It was established that pectin-chitosan capsules can provide protection to L. casei from the gastric acid and result in high levels of viable bacteria released in the intestine. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Encapsulation of Lactobacillus casei into calcium pectinate beads coated with chitosan provided capsules capable of delivering live probiotic bacteria into the intestine.
Subject(s)
Lacticaseibacillus casei/chemistry , Pectins/chemistry , Probiotics/chemistry , Alginates/chemistry , Capsules/chemistry , Chitosan/chemistry , Drug Delivery Systems , Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology , HumansABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to evaluate Cs-137 activity concentration in soil, water, vegetation, and cow's milk at 10 locations within three regions (Abai, Ayaguz, and Urdzhar) to the southeast of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (SNTS) in Kazakhstan. Cs-137 activity concentrations, determined using a pure Ge gamma-ray spectrometer, showed that, all samples collected did not exceed the National maximum allowable limits of 10,000 Bq/kg for soil, 100 Bq/kg for cow's milk, 74 Bq/kg for vegetation, and 11 Bq/kg for water. Cs-137 is, therefore, not considered a health hazard in these regions. The highest levels of contamination were found in the Abai region, where the highest activity concentration of Cs-137 was 18.0 ± 1.0 Bq/kg in soil, 7.60 ± 0.31 Bq/kg in cow's milk, 4.00 ± 0.14 Bq/kg in the vegetation, and 3.00 ± 0.24 Bq/kg in water. The lowest levels were measured within the Urdzhar region, where 4.00 ± 0.14 Bq/kg was found in the soil, 0.30 ± 0.02 Bq/kg in the cow's milk, 1.00 ± 0.03 Bq/kg in the vegetation, and 0.20 ± 0.02 Bq/kg in the water.
