Liposome-mediated encapsulation of probiotics: current status, challenges and future directions
Jing Liu, Zhenchun Sun, Shao‐Quan Liu, Yuyun Lu, Chaofan Guo, Jianxin Cao, Xuejiao Wang, Xingwei Wang
Abstract
Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining human health, particularly in intestinal health. However, their application has been hindered by issues related to their stability, survival through the gastrointestinal tract, and effective delivery to target sites. Encapsulating probiotics within liposomes not only protects them from environmental factors such as light, oxygen, and temperature but also shields them from harmful influences like gastric acid and bile. In addition, encapsulation promotes growth, release, and absorption of probiotics in the intestines. This study reviews the characteristics of probiotics and liposomes and their application advantages, and discusses the current state of knowledge of the delivery of probiotics through liposomes. Additionally, the study investigates how the digestive process affects the performance of liposomes and probiotics, focusing on the structural changes that occur in both probiotics and probiotic-loaded liposomes. Finally, the study discusses the challenges and future directions in the field of liposome-delivered probiotics. Liposome delivery of probiotics represents an innovative technology that significantly enhances the stability and bioavailability of probiotics, thereby offering improved protection for individuals' intestinal health. This novel approach creates new possibilities and advantages for probiotics in the realm of intestinal health and is anticipated to receive broader applications in the future.