entrapped in
alginate microcapsules (Li et al., 2011). Importantly, the above
viability rates are significantly higher than those previously reported
using immobilized L. casei ATCC 393 cells on apple pieces
(Sidira et al., 2010). Furthermore, Rajam et al. (2012) highlighted
the efficient protective effect of spray-drying microencapsulation of
Lactobacillus plantarum compared to freeze-drying microencapsulation
in bile salts solutions.