Background:
The benefits of probiotics (L. acidophillus NCDC15) feeding is well established in neonatal calves. Till now the probiotic supplementation in calves was done by mixing the culture in milk or feed followed by subsequent subculturing every day. This practice sustained the probiotic culture for 15 days, but after that fresh culture of probiotic is required, which is not possible at the farmer’s doorstep. Also, when fed as such, the acidic pH of the stomach kills many probiotic bacteria, decreasing the percent availability of viable probiotic culture at the site of action i.e., small intestine.:
Technology Details:
The development of microcapsules has increased the shelf life of the probiotic culture to 126 days (under refrigeration) and 112 days (at room temperature). So once microcapsule is prepared, it will suffice for more than 4 months as a source of probiotic. Later when the microcapsules were stored in vacuum-packed pouches, the required log value of 6 was maintained till 161 days (under refrigeration) and 133 days (at room temperature). Additionally, coating of microcapsule has improved the percent availability of viable probiotic culture by shielding against the harsh condition of acidic pH of the stomach.