Two film forming solutions were prepared by dispersing the dry materials (1% w/w sodium alginate or a blend comprising of 0.5% w/w sodium alginate and 2.0% w/w whey protein concentrate) in distilled water at 25 C under agitation for 1 h to allow full hydration. After the addition of the plasticiser at the level of 50% of polysaccharides total solids, the biopolymer-glycerol dispersions were heated to 80 C for 30 min to allow full dissolution and hydration and to destroy any residual microflora. Then, the film forming solutions were cooled down to 25 C and isothermally stored until inoculation with L. rhamnosus GG pellets. Six pellets(corresponding to 300 mL of the broth culture) were suspended in 80 mL of the film forming solutions and degassed using a vacuumpump for 5 min.