Viability and immobilization efficiency of probiotic Lactobacillus bulgaricus strain in alginate films

The study investigates the production and characterization of alginate films for the immobilization and delivery of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus bulgaricus 1Z 03501. Alginate films were synthesized using ionotropic gelation with calcium chloride, and four different protocols were evaluated. The films were characterized in terms of their physical properties, dissolution behavior, and the viability of immobilized bacteria. The results demonstrate that alginate films can be successfully produced using a spraying method, and that the immobilization process does not negatively affect the viability of L. bulgaricus 1Z 03501. The developed alginate films show potential for application as wound dressings for probiotic delivery.