Fabrication of Delivery Gels with Micellar Casein Concentrates (MCC) Using Microfiltration Embedding <i>Lactobacillus Rhamnosus</i> GG (LGG): Effect of Temperature on Structure, Rheological Behavior, and Texture
Xiaomeng Wu, Junpeng Zhang, Safian Murad M, Yanghe Luo, Zihao Guo, Guangqing Mu
Abstract
To obtain natural protein gels as delivery systems loading with probiotics and protect the probiotics from heat treatment, we fabricated casein-based gels using micellar casein concentrates (MCC) via microfiltration and then embedded with Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG (LGG). Rheological analysis indicated that MCC with a protein concentration of 12% would form gels greatly. The results of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the contents of macromolecule in the gels increased as the heat treatment time is prolonged. After heat treatment, a fibrillated structure and a more stable structure were obtained in MCC-LGG gels by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The different changes of rheological behavior and texture of the gels were evaluated using a rheometer and texture analyzer, respectively. Similarly, centrifugation could reduce the property modified by heat inducing and contribute to LGG embedding completely. Importantly, LGG with a survival rate of 7.12% was in the gels after heat treatment at 75 °C for 10 min. Results showed that MCC could offer a protecting circumstance for living LGG cells from heat treatment. Therefore, MCC-LGG gels would be a potential healthy food for improving intestinal microflora in the dairy industry.