Double-layer microencapsulation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus using sodium alginate and nano-mucilages of Qodume Shirazi and Camelina sativa for probiotic goat milk dessert

This study is the first to utilize nano-scale Qodume Shirazi seed mucilage (QSSM) and Camelina sativa seed mucilage (CSSM), individually and in combination, as natural wall materials for microencapsulation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (LR). SEM analysis indicated smooth bead surfaces and successful entrapment of LR. The 50:50 QSSM: CSSM formulation exhibited 97.92% encapsulation efficiency, and microencapsulated LR (MLR) remained viable (>6 log CFU/g) after 15 min at 72 °C. Moreover, MLR maintained viability above 7.85 log CFU/mL for 21 days at 4 °C in goat milk dessert (GMD). Under simulated gastrointestinal conditions MLR demonstrated a 57.53% survival rate compared with free LR, which was 47.17% at the end of storage. The addition of MLR increased the hardness (258.0 ± 16.0 g) and gumminess (102.56 ± 8.45 g) of GMD. Overall, the results demonstrate that QSSM and CSSM mucilages can serve as effective natural encapsulating agents, enhancing the thermal and storage stability.