Alginate Beads Containing Lactase: Stability and Microstructure

Biomacromolecules. 2017 Jun 12;18(6):1785-1792. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00202. Epub 2017 May 19.

Abstract

β-Galactosidase (lactase) is a widely used enzyme in the food industry; however, it has low stability against thermal and mechanical treatments. Due to this, the purpose of the present research was to analyze the encapsulation of lactase in alginate-Ca(II) beads in order to maintain its enzymatic activity toward freezing, freezing/thawing, and storage. Also, the effect of the addition of trehalose, and arabic and guar gums and their influence on the microstructure as well as on thermal properties and molecular mobility were studied. Lactase was successfully encapsulated in alginate-Ca(II) beads, and the inclusion of trehalose was critical for activity preservation toward treatments, being improved in guar gum-containing systems. The gums increased the Tm' values, which represents a valuable technological improvement. Finally, the presence of secondary excipients affected the microstructure, showing rods with smaller outer diameter and with lower compactness than alginate-Ca(II) beads. Also, bead composition greatly affects the size, shape, and relaxation times.

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / chemistry*
  • Alginates / ultrastructure
  • Cold Temperature
  • Drug Compounding / methods*
  • Drug Stability
  • Galactans / chemistry
  • Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
  • Gum Arabic / chemistry
  • Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Lactase / chemistry*
  • Mannans / chemistry
  • Plant Gums / chemistry
  • Trehalose / chemistry
  • beta-Galactosidase / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Galactans
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Mannans
  • Plant Gums
  • Glucuronic Acid
  • Gum Arabic
  • Trehalose
  • guar gum
  • Lactase
  • beta-Galactosidase