Biomaterial-based encapsulated probiotics for biomedical applications: Current status and future perspectives

Probiotics have recently received increasing attention in a range of biomedical applications, such as antimicrobial agents, tissue repair and regeneration, as well as disease treatment. However, the activity and viability of probiotics are significantly affected by complicated tissue/organ environment and thus the probiotics can not stay steady at the target location. Probiotic encapsulation is developed as a biotechnological tool to cope with the technological issues derived from the handling and application of probiotics. Encapsulating living probiotics within appropriate biomaterials is a crucial extension of the functions of probiotics and further development. Biomaterials-based probiotic encapsulation not only protects the vitality of the probiotics but also is a better way to make them delivered to their target location. This review summarizes recent advances of biomaterial-based encapsulated probiotics, including encapsulation methods, encapsulation materials, and encapsulation effects. Further, we highlight biomaterial-based encapsulated probiotics in diversified biomedical applications, including the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, vagina, and skin. In the final section, current challenges faced by biomaterial-based encapsulated probiotics are outlined and future perspectives for advancing this research are proposed.