PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF POWDERED PROBIOTIC FORMULATIONS FOR MONOGRASTIC ANIMALS

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of dry lyophilized powdered formulations of probiotic bacteria for monogastric animal (for example poultry birds) using a combination of different polymers through the process of encapsulation. The resulting lyophilized powders of probiotic bacteria are having increased viability during animal feed processing, storage and upon transfer to the monogastric animal's digestive system.

Claims

1. A process for the preparation of a dry lyophilized formulation of probiotic bacteria comprising steps of: (a) providing bile, thermo-tolerant cultures of probiotic bacteria; (b) subjecting said culture to centrifugation to separate bacteria as a wet cake; (c) mixing said wet cake with an encapsulating agent forming a lyoslurry; (d) lyophilising said lyoslurry under desired conditions forming a lyopowder; and (e) packaging said lyopowder in an air-tight container.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said probiotic bacteria is one of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus licheniformis or Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus coagulans or Propionibacterium freudenreichii or Pediococcus acidilactici combination thereof.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein said encapsulating agent is a mixture of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt and maltodextrin.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said encapsulating agent comprises carboxymethyl cellulose about 0.5% by weight.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said encapsulating agent comprises maltodextrin about 1% by weight.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein said lyophilisation is performed at about 50 C. for about 30 to about 36 hours.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein said formulation is used as a component of monograstic animal feed supplement.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein said formulation is stable in SGF for up to 6 hours.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein said formulation releases the bacteria in SIF in less than 1 hour.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein said formulation is tolerant to acidic conditions of the stomach of monograstic animals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, for development of the encapsulation technology, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Propionibacterium freudenrechii were selected on the basis of their known probiotic properties.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, about 20-hour old or freshly grown probiotic cell biomass was used, unless otherwise stated. Different matrix polymers either individually or in combination were evaluated in the microencapsulation process.

[0012] Non-encapsulated cells served as the control for in comparative cases. The total viable count for Propionibacterium freudenrechii in MRS medium is about 2.9810.sup.9 CFU/ml in static incubation and for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 7.8010.sup.9 CFU/ml under shaking incubation condition at 37 C. for about 24 hours using conical flasks of 1000 mL capacity. Said media is selected further for fermentation and for probiotic formulation development. Further said inoculum is inoculated in MRS broth and incubated at static condition for about 24 hours at about 37 C. Further, said broth is subjected to centrifugation with feed rate of about 500 ml/min to separate the wet cake. Next, the wet cake is immediately removed aseptically in LAF unit (Laminar Air Flow). Further about 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and about 1% of maltodextrin is used as an encapsulation agent. Such encapsulation solution is sterilized at about 121 C. for about 20 minutes. Further said wet cake and encapsulating chemicals (1% maltodextrin+0.5% CMC) are mixed properly using vortex mixer to prepare a lyoslurry. Then said prepared lyoslurry is poured in trays and subjected to freezing at about 80 C. for about 2 hours. Post freezing, the frozen lyoslurry is subjected to lyophilization at about 50 C. for about 28 to about 36 hours to prepare lyopowder. The lyopowder obtained is analyzed for TVC and solids contents. Said broth, wet cake, lyoslurry and lyopowder are serially diluted using sterile degassed saline Tween 80 solution and plated over sterile MRS agar plates. Said plates are incubated at about 37 C. for about 48 to about 72 hours. The total solid and TVC values for broth, wet cake, lyopowder and for lyoslurry are enlisted in TABLE A and B.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A TVC of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens culture at different process stages No. Sample TS (% w/w) TVC (CFU/gm) 1 Harvest/Broth 2.71 1.7 10.sup.10 2 Wet cake 14.86 2.6 10.sup.10 3 Lyoslurry 6.52 4.1 10.sup.13 4 Lyopowder 97.5 1.8 10.sup.9

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B TVC of Propionibacterium freudenreichii culture at different process stages No. Sample TS (% w/w) TVC (CFU/gm) 1 Harvest/Broth 3.12 3.5 10.sup.10 2 Wet cake 17.06 3.1 10.sup.12 3 Lyoslurry 9.00 3.4 10.sup.14 4 Lyopowder 96.1 2.3 10.sup.14

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, said lyopowder formulations are packed in air-tight containers and stored at room temperature at about 50% relative humidity. The moisture contents of lyopowder formulations are not more than 5% by weight. During storage after specified time periods the TVC analyses are carried out to check the viability of bacteria in the formulations.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, before the production of dry powders of probiotic, the probiotic cultures were selected on the basis of survival efficiency with respect to simulated harsh environmental conditions such as the exposure to high temperature and high bile salts concentration (gastric fluid) in stomach.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the bacterial cultures were revived from the glycerol stock using nutrient broth for Bacillus and MRS broth for Propionibacterium. For this 250 l of culture from glycerol stock was inoculated in 100 ml nutrient/MRS broth in 250 ml flask. The culture was incubated at 37 C., under shaking/static condition, for about 182 hours. From this 20 ml was taken in two 150 ml flask individually. One flask labeled as control flask, was diluted and plated on nutrient/MRS agar plate for total viable count (TVC) analysis. The second flask was treated at 90 C. for one minute in water bath. Dilution plating of the sample from both the flasks was done on nutrient/MRS agar medium for TVC determination. For dilution plating, 0.9 ml of Tween-saline (0.05% Tween 80+0.5% sodium chloride) was added in 2 ml Eppendorf tube, and 0.1 ml of culture was added to it to make 10.sup.1 dilutions and later serially diluted till 10.sup.12. From each dilution 0.1 ml was spread on nutrient agar and MRS agar plate respectively with the help of sterile L-spreader. Plates were incubated at 37 C. for 24 hours. Post incubation, growth was measured in terms of colony counts for every dilution plated and TVC was calculated using formula:

TVC=(No. of coloniesdilution factor)/aliquot plated

[0016] Percent survival for the culture after heat treatment was calculated using formula:

% survival=(TVC after heat treatment)/(TVC before heat treatment)10.

[0017] In next embodiment of the invention, the probiotic cultures to be tested were checked for tolerance to bile salts. Bile salt concentrations chosen for the assay were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2 and 3%. The required amount of bile salt was mixed with nutrient (for Bacillus)/MRS broth (for Propionibacterium) and sterilized at 121 C. for 20 minutes. The sterilized broth was inoculated using 1 ml freshly grown and centrifuged media free cell suspension of bacteria to be tested. This was incubated at 37 C. for 24 hours under shaking/static condition. Growth was monitored visually and TVC was enumerated by dilution plating on agar medium. To verify the tolerance the growth of the culture was also tested on nutrient/MRS agar plate containing the required amount of bile salt by surface spreading. In yet another embodiment of present invention, other polymers like 1% carboxy methyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC-Na), carboxy methyl cellulose sodium salt+maltodextrin (0.5% CMC+1% MD), 1% alginate, 1% kappa carrageenan, 1% gelatin and 1% pectin are also tested alone or in combination as encapsulating agents for probiotic bacteria for the preparation of the dry powders.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of present invention, the probiotic bacteria is one of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus licheniformis or Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus coagulans or Propionibacterium freudenreichii or Pediococcus acidilactici combination thereof.

[0019] Embodiments provided above give wider utility of the invention without any limitations as to the variations that may be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. A non-limiting summary of various embodiments is given above, which demonstrate the advantages and novel aspects of the process disclosed herein.

[0020] Advantages: [0021] 1. A unique encapsulation process helps in restricted release of probiotic microbe in the small intestine of monogastric digestive systems using a combination of polymers for better protection. [0022] 2. The probiotic cultures tested for encapsulation are already tolerance tested for bile salts, thermal treatment, and survival in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. [0023] 3. Said encapsulation agents used have a low porosity thus contributing to less exposure of the probiotic microbes to environment. [0024] 4. The encapsulated dry formulations have increased bacterial viability during processing and application in the monogastric digestive system. [0025] 5. The probiotic dry product is more stable and easier for handling and transport.

[0026] Examples provided below give wider utility of the invention without any limitations as to the variations that may be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. A non-limiting summary of various experimental results is given in the examples, which demonstrate the advantages and novel aspects of the process for preparation of dry probiotic microbe formulations using combination of polymers in a unique microencapsulation technique.

Example 1

[0027] A strain of Propionibacterium freudenreichii (MTCC 1371) was used for the preparation of dry powdered formulations. Said bacteria was grown in deMan Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) broth medium in static incubation condition at about 37 C. for about 24 hours in conical flasks. The culture was routinely transferred and stored at about 80 C. in about 20% glycerol by volume between transfers. The total viable count in MRS medium was about 2.9810.sup.9 CFU/ml.

[0028] A strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MTCC 10456) was used for the preparation of dry powdered formulations. Said bacteria was grown in nutrient broth or MRS broth medium in shaking incubation condition at about 37 C. for about 24 hours in conical flasks. The culture was routinely transferred and stored at about 80 C. in about 20% glycerol by volume between transfers. The total viable count in MRS medium was about 7.810.sup.9 CFU/ml compared with the nutrient broth at about 5.710.sup.8 CFU/ml.

Example 2: Thermotolerance & Bile Tolerance of the Formulted Bacteria

[0029] The bacterial cultures were revived from the glycerol stock using nutrient broth for Bacillus and MRS broth for Propionibacterium. For this 2501 of culture from glycerol stock was inoculated in 100 ml nutrient/MRS broth in 250 ml flask. The culture was incubated at 37 C., under shaking/static condition, for about 18 hours. From this 20 ml was taken in two 150 ml flask individually. One flask labeled as control flask, was diluted and plated on nutrient/MRS agar plate for total viable count (TVC) analysis. The second flask was treated at 90 C. for one minute in water bath. Dilution plating of the sample from both the flasks was done on nutrient/MRS agar medium for TVC determination. For dilution plating, 0.9 ml of Tween-saline (0.05% Tween 80+0.5% sodium chloride) was added in 2 ml eppendorf tube, and 0.1 ml of culture was added to it to make 10.sup.1 dilutions and later serially diluted till 10.sup.12. From each dilution 0.1 ml was spread on nutrient agar or MRS agar plate with the help of sterile L-spreader. Plates were incubated at 37 C. for about 24 hours. Post incubation, growth was measured in terms of colony counts for every dilution and TVC was calculated. TABLE 3 shows the thermo tolerance of the bacteria in the formulation compared with plain culture.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Heat exposure % Survival (90 C. for 1 Bacillus Propionibacterium min) amyloliquefaciens freudenreichii Non 28.21% 2.34% encapsulated (original count - (original count - probiotic 7.80 10.sup.9, 2.98 10.sup.9, count post count post heat treatment - heat treatment - 2.20 x 10.sup.9 cfu/ml) 7.0 10.sup.7 cfu/ml) Encapsulated 86% 60% probiotic (original count - (original count - 6.90 10.sup.9, 1.62 10.sup.9, count post count post heat treatment - heat treatment - 5.93 10.sup.9 cfu/ml) 9.72 10.sup.8 cfu/ml)

Example 3

[0030] Here the probiotic bacteria were checked for tolerance to bile salts. Bile salt concentrations chosen for the assay were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2 and 3%. The required amount of bile salt was mixed with nutrient (for Bacillus)/MRS broth (for Propionibacterium) and sterilized at 121 C. for 20 minutes. The sterilized broth was inoculated using 1 ml freshly grown and centrifuged media free cell suspension of bacteria to be tested. This was incubated at 37 C. for 24 hours under shaking/static condition. Growth was monitored visually and TVC was enumerated by dilution plating on agar medium. To verify the tolerance, the growth of the culture was also tested on nutrient/MRS agar plate containing the required amount of bile salt by surface spreading. TABLE 3A and TABLE 3B show the data related to tolerance of bacteria upon encapsulation.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3A Non-encapsulated Encapsulated Bile salt Propionibacterium Propionibacterium Concentration freudenreichii freudenreichii (g %) (cfu/ml) (cfu/ml) 0 .sup.4.00 10.sup.12 .sup.2.9 10.sup.13 0.5 3.80 10.sup.6 3.5 10.sup.8 1.0 4.20 10.sup.4 3.1 10.sup.6 1.5 3.90 10.sup.4 2.6 10.sup.6 2.0 3.30 10.sup.4 4.9 10.sup.4 3.0 2.40 10.sup.4 1.19 10.sup.4

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3B Non-encapsulated Encapsulated Bile salt Bacillus Bacillus Concentration amyloliquefaciens amyloliquefaciens (g %) (cfu/ml) (cfu/ml) 0 2.10 10.sup.15 3.5 10.sup.14 0.5 6.70 10.sup.13 5.1 10.sup.13 1.0 3.10 10.sup.12 1.1 10.sup.13 1.5 1.0 10.sup.11 2.1 10.sup.11 2.0 .sup.2.8 10.sup.9 3.1 10.sup.10 3.0 .sup.1.6 10.sup.9 1.8 10.sup.10

Example 4

[0031] Both Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Propionibacterium freudenrechii cultures were inoculated in MRS broth flasks and incubated in static condition at about 37 C. for about 24 hours to form a starting culture. Next this starting culture was inoculated in 1.5 L MRS broth and incubated for about 24 hours at about 37 C. Post incubation both the broths were subjected to centrifugation to separate the biomass. Polymers like 1% carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (CMC-Na), carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt+maltodextrin (0.5% CMC+1% MD), 1% alginate, 1% kappa carrageenan, 1% gelatin and 1% pectin were tested as encapsulating agents for probiotic bacteria for the preparation of the dry powders. The stock solutions containing 1% concentration of the encapsulating agents were sterilized at about 121 C. for about 20 min. The biomass of both microbes obtained after centrifugation was mixed with sterile solutions of encapsulation agents in 1:1 proportion. Said mixture was mixed well using vortex mixer. Obtained lyoslurry was then subjected to freezing at about 80 C. for 2 hours. Post freezing, the frozen lyoslurry was subjected to lyophilization at about 50 C. for about 28 to 36 hours to prepare the lyopowder [powdered probiotic formulations]. Said lyopowder and lyoslurry were serially diluted using sterile saline Tween 80 solution and plated over sterile MRS agar plates. Said plates were incubated at about 37 C. for about 24 to about 72 hours according to the culture. Total viable counts analyses of said lyopowder and lyoslurry were carried out to check the encapsulation potential of polymers and loss of viability of probiotic cells after lyophilization. The total viable counts of non encapsulated and encapsulated probiotic bacteria after lyophilization (lyopowder) are given in TABLE 4.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 ENCAPSULATION AGENTS SCREENING ASSAY TVC (CFU/gm) data for LYOPOWDER encapsulation materials used TVC 1% 0.5% CMC + 1% Sodium 1% Culture Identity CMC 1% MD Alginate Gelatin Propionibacterium 2.23 2.54 2.63 2.03 freudenreichii 10.sup.12 10.sup.13 10.sup.9 10.sup.13 Bacillus 3.89 3.45 3.53 1.15 amyloliquefaciens 10.sup.12 10.sup.14 10.sup.8 10.sup.10

[0032] The control (non-encapsulated) TVC for both cultures were

[0033] 1. Propionibacterium freudenrechii: 1.1610.sup.14 CFU/ml

[0034] 2. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens: 1.1010.sup.13 CFU/ml

Example 5: Assay for the Release of Encapsulated Cells in Simulated Gastric and Intestinal Fluids

[0035] To check the efficiency of release of the bacterial cells from encapsulating materials at desired pH, the tolerance and release of the cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and P. freudenrechii encapsulated in 0.5% CMC+1% MD were studied in SGF [simulated gastric fluid] with release in SIF [simulated intestinal fluid]. The encapsulated bacteria were resistant to the low pH of SGF and survived it for up to 6 hours. Similarly the encapsulated bacteria were easily released in SIF at high pH. The obtained data is shown in the TABLE 65A and TABLE 5B.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5A ENCAPSULATION RELEASE EXPERIMENT IN SGF Bacillus Propionibacterium amyloliquefaciens freudenreichii Time Non- Non- [h] encapsulated Encapsulated encapsulated Encapsulated 0 7.1 10.sup.6 7.8 10.sup.7 2.3 10.sup.5 8.6 10.sup.7 2 7.1 10.sup.6 7.8 10.sup.6 6.0 10.sup.4 6.0 10.sup.7 4 2.14 10.sup.6 6.8 10.sup.6 2.5 10.sup.4 1.9 10.sup.7 6 1.8 10.sup.6 7.0 10.sup.6 0 2.1 10.sup.7

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 5B ENCAPSULATION RELEASE EXPERIMENT IN SIF Bacillus Propionibacterium amyloliquefaciens freudenreichii Time Non- Non- [h] encapsulated Encapsulated encapsulated Encapsulated 0 1.1 10.sup.8 6.5 10.sup.6 .sup.1.4 10.sup.10 1.1 10.sup.11 2 3.5 10.sup.8 5.9 10.sup.6 2.17 10.sup.9 1.42 10.sup.11 4 2.1 10.sup.8 7.1 10.sup.6 .sup.9 10.sup.9 3.3 10.sup.10 6 .sup.4 10.sup.8 6.9 10.sup.6 2.3 10.sup.9 2.1 10.sup.10

Example 6: Analysis of Encapsulated Cells by Scanning Electron Microscopy

[0036] To establish the morphology of the particles of the dry lyophilized powders [formulations] of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Propionibacterium freudenreichii using the encapsulating agent [0.5% CMC+1% maltodextrin] as such and with the bacterial cells enclosed were analysed under a scanning electron microscope. The details of analysis are included below.

[0037] FIGS. 1 A & B shows the encapsulating agent as such as a powdery matter. FIGS. 1 C & D shows the encapsulating agent enclosing the bacterial cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Propionibacterium freudenreichii forming particles of definite size and shape, respectively.

Example 7: Infrared Spectral Analyses of Encapsulated Formulations

[0038] To establish the spectral properties of the particles of the dry lyophilized powders of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Propionibacterium freudenreichii with the encapsulation agent with or without bacteria, the samples were analysed by FT-IR spectrometry.

[0039] IR Spectroscopy: The culture inoculated into broth was incubated at 37 C. for 24 hr. The broth was centrifuged (8000 rpm, 10 min, 4 C.) to collect the cells. The cells were washed three times with saline (0.85% sodium chloride). The cells were again re-suspended in saline and centrifuged. The obtained cell pellet was pre-freezed at 80 C. for 2 hr and lyophilized to obtain powdered form using lyophilizer. All spectra were recorded using Spectrum100FT-IR spectrometer (PerkinElmer). At least 8 scans, between wave number region 4000 cm.sup.1 to 500 cm.sup.1 with spectral resolution of 4 cm.sup.1, were taken for average estimation.

[0040] FIG. 2A is the spectrum of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt as such. FIG. 2B is the spectrum of maltodextrin as such. FIG. 2C is the spectrum of 0.5% CMC+1% maltodextrin mixture without bacterial cells. FIG. 2D is the spectrum of 0.5% CMC+1% maltodextrin mixture with bacterial cells. After mixing of both MD and CMC, absorption was not changed at major frequencies. However, after cell encapsulation, it exhibited new absorptions at about 1150 cm.sup.1 and 1453 cm.sup.1 which are remarkable for the encapsulated formulations of the bacteria herein in disclosed.

[0041] Embodiments provided above give wider utility of the invention without any limitations as to the variations that may be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. A non-limiting summary of various embodiments is given in the examples and tables, which demonstrate the advantageous and novel aspects of the process disclosed herein.