3.2.1. Alginate's Use for Probiotic Delivery

Among biomaterials used for encapsulation, alginate is the most widely used due to its strong gelling properties and ability to coat within a short time. Additionally, as a dietary fiber, alginate strengthens the functionality of probiotics used in several diseases such as diabetes or obesity [190]. As seen from Table 5, alginate has proven to be a good microencapsulation agent by extending cell viability in refrigeration and freezing conditions, as well as in adverse gastric and intestinal environments.


**Table 5.** Utilization of alginate as a probiotic encapsulating material.


Abbreviations: CFU/g, colony-forming unit per gram; CFU/mL, colony-forming unit per milliliter; SGF, simulated gastric fluids; and SIF, simulated intestinal fluids.

> Alginate is hemocompatible, does not accrue in organs, is water soluble, biodegradable, and can form gels under mild conditions. It develops gel at ambiental temperatures and prevents the destruction of the activity of thermolabile drugs. By cross-linking with other agents, it forms insoluble gel that delays the drug release. However, alginates have low mechanical properties, therefore they must be reinforced by combining with other biopolymers or with various conjugates in order to obtain both ionically and covalently cross-linkable capsules.
