Preparation Of Bifidobacterium Longum Microcapsules And Evaluation Of Their Efficacy In Relieving Functional Constipation

Functional constipation has a complex etiology and is mainly influenced by age,lifestyle habits,and psychosomatic factors.Severe constipation can lead to anal disorders,gastrointestinal nerve problems,cancer and other diseases.60% of constipated patients can only be treated and relieved by using laxatives,but these drugs are ineffective,have certain side effects and are addictive.It has been shown that the rate of stool transport in the intestinal region is closely related to the composition of the intestinal microbiota,so improving the composition of the intestinal flora in the gut and thus improving intestinal health can have a more fundamental effect on relieving functional constipation.Compared with other probiotics,Bifidobacterium bifidum plays a more prominent role in relieving constipation,however,due to its sensitivity to gastric acid and bile salt environment,its viability decreases dramatically after passing through the stomach and upper small intestine,i.e.,the number and vitality of its microorganisms entering the intestine are significantly reduced,thus affecting its function of regulating microecology in the intestine.In this study,low methoxylated pectin was used to prepare Bifidobacterium longum microcapsules.The results were tested for the relevant indexes of microcapsules and showed that the particle size of Bifidobacterium longum microcapsules was 0.57±0.05 mm and the encapsulation rate was 99.9%;the survival rates of Bifidobacterium longum naked bacteria and Bifidobacterium longum microcapsules were 67.68% and 30.01%,respectively,in the simulated gastrointestinal tract experiment.The yogurt was prepared using commercially available fermenters,and Bifidobacterium longum naked bacteria and microcapsules were added at the late stage of fermentation to analyze their effects on the quality of yogurt.The results showed that the addition of Bifidobacterium longum microcapsules at the late stage of yogurt fermentation had less effect on the yogurt itself with unique flavor,taste and quality.Finally,BALB/c mice were selected to establish a constipation model,and three groups of samples,plain yogurt,Bifidobacterium longum naked bacteria yogurt and Bifidobacterium longum microencapsulated yogurt,were used to evaluate the effect of constipation prevention and relief.The results showed that the first black stool defecation time was shortened by 34 min and 38 min in the remission and prevention groups,respectively,and the small intestinal propulsion rate was increased by 9% and14%,respectively,which significantly improved the intestinal transit of mice;meanwhile,the results of high-throughput sequencing of mouse stool in each group showed that gavage of Bifidobacterium longum microencapsulated yogurt had a certain effect on the Bacteroidetes The abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in the DSSP group was not significantly reduced.These results suggest that Bifidobacterium longum microencapsulated yogurt has a good effect on the relief and prevention of functional constipation in mice.Bifidobacterium longum microcapsules showed good stability in vitro,and the number of viable bacteria increased significantly from 30.01% to 67.68% after simulating the gastrointestinal tract;meanwhile,the addition of yogurt at the later stage of fermentation could ensure good compatibility with yogurt and had little effect on the quality characteristics of yogurt.In animal experiments,Bifidobacterium longum microencapsulated yogurt also showed good relief and prevention of functional constipation,and it has a broad prospect as a new generation of health food.