The present studies demonstrated that LGG could be encapsulated in the pectin-derived delivery system which preserved viability of LGG when administrated orally. The growth of the encapsulated LGG was further enhanced by the inclusion of glucose in the pectin formulation. LGG
encapsulated in hydrogel beads exhibited longer shelf life and higher potential for prevention of intestinal inflammation. Therefore, pectin with glucose may have more advantages as encapsulation materials for protecting probiotics from acid condition and protease digestion in the human gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, this encapsulation approach may benefit the functions of probiotics, thereby having the potential application for improving efficacy of probiotics.