(68f) Layer-By- Layer Encapsulation of Probiotics: Addressing the Challenges of Oral Delivery to Modulate the Microbiome

The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome has been widely investigated for its role in many diseases, including diabetes, depression, and cancer; as such, efforts to modulate the microbiome are of particular interest. While many novel technologies for oral delivery have been developed, the challenges arising from the transport of live probiotics through the stomach to target areas in the GI tract (e.g. intestines and colon) have yet to be addressed. Here, we report a layer-by- layer (LbL) method for the encapsulation of probiotics to directly address these challenges by simultaneously: (i) protecting probiotics from GI tract insults to circumvent acid- or bile-mediated bacteria death, (ii) facilitating mucoadhesion and direct growth on intestinal surfaces, and (iii) controlling layer release via inclusion of pH sensitive polymers so as to facilitate targeted growth in pH-regulated areas of the GI tract. These effects translated in vivo for over 6-fold enhanced survival of LbL-probiotics as compared to non-coated probiotics. LbL-encapsulation of probiotics facilitates survival of probiotics through the GI tract to ensure adhesion and growth to intestinal tissues for potential applications in modulating and directing the microbiome.