Electrospun PVA/alginate/cellulose nanofibers for probiotic delivery: Fabrication, stability, and in vitro viability of probiotics

In this research, PVA/SA/CL based nanosheets were fabricated to encapsulate Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53,103) using different ratios of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CL), prepared nanosheets were characterized by encapsulation efficiency (EE %), mechanical properties, microstructure, molecular characterizations, thermal stability and in vitro viability under simulated conditions. Results show that PVA/SA/CL composites have potential as polymers for probiotic encapsulation, with an EE of 82.06 %. The zeta potential showed the small particle size recorded as - 11.49 ± 0.655 (mV). The secondary structure by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed strong bonding between encapsulating materials and probiotics, which was evidenced by successful loading of probiotics among scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The findings of in vitro GI analysis publicized the significantly (p < 0.05) improved survival of encapsulated probiotics from 11.01 to 5.32 and 13.84 to 8.69 (Log CFU/ml) at pH 2 and 7, respectively. Moreover, thermal analysis revealed that at 82 °C, probiotics were effectively protected with 94 % of nanosheet weight retention.