Microencapsulation and Probiotic Characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20: Therapeutic Application in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis

Background: Microencapsulation improves the storage, handling, and administration of probiotics by protecting them from environmental factors and adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. This process facilitates their controlled delivery in the body, which can simplify their use in therapies without compromising their therapeutic efficacy. Objectives: This study investigates the microencapsulation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20, its probiotic properties, and its effects in a murine model of ulcerative colitis. Methods/Results: Synbiotic microencapsulation was carried out using spray drying with maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and inulin, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 90.76%. The resulting microcapsules exhibited remarkable resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions in vitro, maintaining a survival rate of 90%. The drying process did not compromise the probiotic characteristics of the bacteria, as they demonstrated enhanced auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity, and phenol tolerance. The therapeutic potential of the microencapsulated synbiotic was evaluated in a murine model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis. The results revealed that mice treated with microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20 showed an 83.3% reduction in the disease activity index (DAI) compared to the ulcerative colitis control group. Moreover, a significant decrease was observed in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1&beta: and TNF-&alpha:) and myeloperoxidase activity, with values comparable to those of the healthy control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20 could be a promising candidate for therapeutic applications in the prevention and management of ulcerative colitis.