In conclusion, application of microencapsulation and spraydrying
acted as a protective shield against the harsh conditions of
the gastrointestinal tract, since enhanced viability rates were
recorded compared to free cells during simulated experiments.
Similarly, the proposed technology resulted in significantly higher
cell counts during production and refrigerated storage of fermented
milk over the free cell system. Noticeably, the probiotic levels
ranged above the minimum requirement for conferring a probiotic
effect and the new products were of improved sensory characteristics,
while the overall high quality was ascertained by the
organoleptic tests. As consumption of probiotic products is associated
with beneficial effects, future clinical trials will give more
insight into the role of immobilized probiotic microorganisms on
promotion of human health. In the meantime, the food industry
should overcome the possible difficulties and find ways to exploit
the advantages offered by the microencapsulation and spraydrying
technology with an adequate cost.