Total lactic acid bacteria
The statistical analysis in Table 1 indicates that the wall material has a significant impact on the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count (P<0.05). Fermented milk containing 1% alginate, 1% glucomannan and 5% WPI (D) had the highest LAB count, surpassing A, B and C. Glucomannan and alginate (B) enhanced viability above alginate alone (A), but WPI alone (C) lowered LAB populations. Treatment D works better since all three components work together. Alginate’s calcium gel matrix protects microorganisms from acidity. As with glucomannan, gel density and viscosity decrease oxygen transport and protect cells from oxidative stress.
Hayuningtyas (2018) asserts that glucomannan enhances the viscosity of emulsion systems in milk, hence increasing stability. WPI creates an acid-resistant protective layer, enhances the microcapsule structure and provides nitrogen for the metabolism of LAB. It additionally stabilizes pH, facilitating bacterial viability during fermentation
(Picot and Lacroix, 2004). Studies have demonstrated that the combination of proteins and polysaccharides enhances the stability of microencapsulation
(Liu et al., 2023; Puttarat et al., 2021). The formulation in treatment D provides structural strengthening, environmental protection and nutritional support, markedly enhancing LAB viability.
pH
The pH of fermented milk is significantly influenced by wall material type (P<0.05). Treatment D (1% alginate + 1% glucomannan + 5% WPI) had the lowest pH (4.85±0.057), indicating effective acid production and increased LAB activity. Alginate’s protective gel, glucomannan’s viscosity and prebiotic characteristics and WPI’s nitrogen stimulation of bacterial metabolism may explain this. Treatment C (1% alginate + 5% WPI) had the highest pH (5.86±0.021), indicating slower fermentation. The compact WPI-alginate matrix could prevent LAB growth by preventing nutrition and oxygen transfer. The buffering capacity of WPI stabilizes pH. Treatment D increases LAB activity by increasing viability and acid generation. These findings align with prior studies on the pH of fermented milk and yogurt
(Rossi et al., 2021; Falah, 2021). The pH in this study was almost the same as that reported by
Narayanan et al., (2020), who used microencapsulation of
L.
acidophilus and carrot juice in yogurt, which was 4.65.
Titratable acidity (TA)
The wall material used for microencapsulated
L.
brevis significantly affected the titratable acidity (TA) of fermented milk (P<0.05), as indicated in Table 1. Treatment D (1% alginate, 1% glucomannan, 5% WPI) had the highest TA, indicating substantial metabolic activity due to its low pH and high LAB count. Alginate forms a protective gel, glucomannan strengthens matrix porosity and nutrient diffusion due to its hydrophilic nature and WPI stabilizes cell membranes. Glucomannan-free Treatment C (1% alginate, 5% WPI) had the lowest TA, highest pH and lowest LAB due to substrate penetration and a denser matrix. Protein walls, such as WPI, can buffer acids and bind water, thereby slowing acidification and altering microbial activity. Polysaccharides promote the viability and metabolism of LAB, resulting in the production of acid. However, excessive encapsulation may reduce mass transfer, nutrient availability and fermentation efficiency. These findings support
Quintero et al., (2012), emphasizing balanced microencapsulation design for best performance.
Moisture, protein and fat content
The moisture content in fermented milk was significantly affected (P<0.05) by the type of microencapsulation wall applied (Table 2). Treatment D fermented milk enhanced with a composite of 1% alginate, 1% glucomannan and 5% WPI yielded the greatest moisture content. This result aligned with the highest overall bacterial count observed in this treatment, indicating improved probiotic viability and metabolic activity. Several investigations have shown that the carboxyl groups of alginate residues rapidly bind to metal ions, including Ca
2+, forming the “egg-box” structure, a three-dimensional gel network
(Zan et al., 2023), effectively retaining water. In contrast, as a soluble dietary fiber, glucomannan becomes a viscous fiber with high viscosity after absorbing water
(Behera and Ray, 2016). It maintains the ability to absorb and store substantial quantities of water, thereby enhancing the gel-like consistency and moisture retention. Treatment C exhibited the lowest moisture content, indicating that WPI alone is insufficient for effective water retention without the addition of other hydrophilic polymers. This discovery aligns with previous research, which indicates that the moisture content in fermented dairy products ranges from 81% to
85% (Melia
et_al2020).
Treatment C demonstrated the highest protein content, owing to its elevated concentration of whey protein isolate, a premium and highly refined milk protein source. Treatment B, utilizing just alginate (devoid of protein), produced the minimal protein content, thus affirming that non-protein substances do not augment protein levels. Despite treatment D exhibiting a decreased concentration of WPI compared to treatment C, it yet preserved elevated protein levels owing to the inclusion of WPI in the wall formulation (Table 2). The results align with previous studies, which indicate that protein content ranges from 3% to 6%
(Melia et al., 2020; Susmiati et al., 2022).
According to a fat content analysis, treatment D had the lowest fat levels (Table 2). This was probably because glucomannan and WPI worked in concert to promote lipid binding during fermentation and lower the availability of free fat
(Zhu et al., 2024). The elevated water content in treatment D dispersed the total solids, hence decreasing fat concentration. This result supports the development of low-fat fermented milk rich in probiotics and protein. The results of this study aligned with the fat content in fermented milk reported in previous studies, which was approximately 3%
(Melia et al., 2022).
The morphology of microencapsulation L. brevis
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the unique morphological characteristics of
L.
brevis microcapsules, which are based on the composition of the encapsulating wall (Fig 1). Microcapsules composed solely of alginate had spherical forms with smooth surfaces, but they frequently appeared linked and layered. The majority of particles measured less than 2 µm, with bigger aggregates presumably resulting from agglomeration, aligning with previous research on alginate-based microcapsules < 15 µm
(Pupa et al., 2021). Upon the addition of glucomannan, the particles assumed a more cubic morphology, remaining agglomerated and stacked, with sizes varying from <0.5 µm to 10 µm, a pattern corroborated by de
Etchepare et al., (2016) in alginate-Hi-maize systems. The surfaces remained unblemished, devoid of cracks or pores, consistent with prior findings on konjac glucomannan microcapsules
(Mu et al., 2018).
Alginate molecular mass, the ratio of mannuronic acid to guluronic acid, pH, Ca
2+, or the addition of transglutaminase can all affect the hydrogels formed by the strong interaction between alginate and whey proteins. Alginate and whey protein hydrogels in the shapes of beads, microparticles, microcapsules and nanocapsules
(Pedrali et al., 2023), with previous research corroborating the formation of deflated and adhesive structures in WPI-based microcapsules
(Sompach et al., 2022). The triple combination of alginate, glucomannan and whey protein isolate produced irregular, spherical particles measuring less than 2 µm, along with substantial agglomerates exceeding 10 µm, incorporating characteristics from both preceding systems. Structural collapse and surface adhesion were observed, possibly due to interactions between hydrophilic polymers and protein-induced desiccation pressures. The desiccation pressure resulting from water evaporation causes matrix contraction; when proteins form a rigid layer on the surface, while the interior still undergoes shrinkage, deformation and structural collapse occur. Thus, this three-component system reflects a compromise between good micro-particle formation and the tendency toward agglomeration and post-drying instability.