Characteristics of Probiotic Preparations and Their Applications

Introduction

• Probiotics Market: Fast-growing segment due to health benefits.
• Target Sites: Oral, upper respiratory, gastrointestinal tracts.
• Purpose: Review of probiotic forms and bioavailability improvement methods.

Dosage Forms of Probiotics

1. Liquids

• Availability: First commercial form.
• Common Products: Fermented dairy, non-fermented milk, fruit juices.
• Challenges: Low viability in non-fermented contexts.

2. Powders

• Advantages: Convenient handling, storage.
• Challenges: Maintaining bacterial viability during dehydration.
• Techniques: Encapsulation for stability and targeted delivery.

3. Capsules

• Benefits: Protects from stomach acid, controls release in GIT.
• Technologies: DRcaps, Vcaps improve delivery efficiency.

4. Microcapsules

• Purpose: Ensure bacterial stability in extreme conditions.
• Materials: Alginate, carrageenan for better protection.

5. Tablets

• Advantages: Stability, cost-effectiveness.
• Challenges: Compression affects bacterial viability.

6. Suppositories

• Use: Mainly vaginal, for balancing microbiota.
• Benefits: Maintains dosage uniformity, less irritation.

Sites of Action

1. Oral Cavity

• Issues: Biofilms, diseases like dental caries.
• Probiotics Role: Modulate inflammation, compete with pathogens.

2. Upper Respiratory Tract

• Microbiota Role: Acts as a barrier in healthy state.
• Effective Form: Nasal sprays/drops preferred for direct action.

3. Gastrointestinal Tract

• Importance: Main site for probiotics, improve intestinal health.
• Applications: Regulate microbiota, tackle metabolic disorders.

4. Vagina

• Microbiota Management: Lactobacillus dominance is crucial.
• Issues Addressed: Bacterial vaginosis, with alternatives to antibiotics.

Factors Affecting Probiotic Survival

1. Processing Technology

• Processes: Freeze drying, spray drying.
• Challenges: Maintaining viability during dehydration.

2. Storage Conditions

• Factors: Temperature, oxygen, pH.
• Solutions: Oxygen scavengers, low-temperature storage.

Solutions to Increase Viability

1. Polymeric Materials

• Types: Proteins, polysaccharides for encapsulation.
• Purpose: Protect in GIT, enhance release in targeted areas.

2. Nanocarriers

• Applications: Improve survival and bioactivity.
• Techniques: Electrospinning for nanofiber encapsulation.

3. Lipid Membranes and Biofilms

• Methods: Self-assembly for enhanced delivery.
• Benefits: Increases bioavailability and protection in harsh environments.

Conclusions

• Probiotics are valuable for regulating micro-ecological balance.
• Focus on developing encapsulation materials, understanding safety, and refining delivery systems.
• Importance of updated regulations and standards for consumer protection.

Funding and Contributions: Supported by the National Science Foundation of China and other institutions. All authors contributed and reviewed the manuscript.