• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2007

Lactobacillus fermentum YL-3 was encapsulated to increase acid tolerance and its total viability. After micro-encapsulation of L. fermentum YL-3 cells with sodium alginate and soybean oil, the morphology of the microcapsule was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) after staining with pyronin Y and fluorescein isothiocyanate. The sizes of the microcapsules were 120-126 ${\mu}m$, 444-486 ${\mu}m$ and 401-463 ${\mu}m$ when manufactured at pH 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The microcapsule could hold live cells of L. fermentum YL-3 up to $1.2{\times}10^{7}$, $8.1{\times}10^{7}$ and $1.1{\times}10^{8}$ CFU/mL at pH 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The acid tolerance and preservative ability of L. fermentum YL-3 in microcapsule and macrocapsule at $4^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$ were tested. L. fermentum YL-3 cells were evenly located in the alginate capsule matrix structure and the firmness of microcapsule was highest at pH 2. Micro-encapsulation showed the most effective acid tolerance at pH 2.0 and preservation of viability at $4^{\circ}C$. However, at $25^{\circ}C$, the macrocapsules showed more effective cell protection than the microcapsules. The application range for microcapsules could be wider than for macrocapsules in the food industry.