a b s t r a c t
Bifidobacterium Bb-12 was microencapsulated by spray drying with whey. This present work investigated
the survival of these microcapsules under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, as well as their tolerance
to NaCl and their viability during storage. The results showed a small decrease in the viability of microencapsulated
Bifidobacterium at low pH. In relation to the exposure of Bifidobacterium to bile, microencapsulation
with whey did not protect the probiotic cells; however, the viability of the microcapsules
remained >6 log cfu/g, even after 24 h of incubation at the highest bile concentration analyzed. No growth
was noted with either the free cells or the microencapsulated cells on MRS-LP with NaCl. The viability of
the microcapsules stored at 4 C remained high and constant for 12 weeks. When the microcapsules were
added to a dairy dessert, the probiotic count remained above 7 log cfu/g for 6 weeks. Therefore, whey is a
promising encapsulating agent for Bifidobacterium Bb-12.