Adhesive

Engineering

Biotechnology

Bacteria

Biology

Materials science

Layer (electronics)

Glucomannan

Chemical engineering

Food science

Drug delivery

Genetics

In vivo

Bifidobacterium animalis

Drug carrier

Nanotechnology

Bifidobacterium

Microsphere

Lactobacillus

Microbiology

Mucoadhesion

Colonization

Advanced Functional Materials

The low survival rate in harsh stomach conditions and short retention in intestine of probiotics greatly limit their health benefits. To solve this problem, thiolated oxidized konjac glucomannan (sOKGM) microspheres is designed with pH responsive and mucoadhesive properties. First, an increased survival rate of probiotics by sOKGM microspheres encapsulation in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) is discovered in contrast to the zero‐survival rate of naked probiotics. sOKGM/probiotics even show a higher survival rate in SGF compared with commercial Bb12 formulation. Further, an enhanced mucoadhesion of probiotics to intestinal mucus by mediated interactions with sOKGM is confirmed by isotherm titration calorimetry, rheology, and tensile measurements. The in vivo intestinal transition experiment indicates a prolonged retention of probiotics at intestine by sOKGM encapsulation. Moreover, in vivo evaluation of enhanced colonization and proliferation by sOKGM/probiotics is demonstrated by the fecal and intestinal bacteria copy number via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection. Further investigation of the alleviation of constipation by sOKGM containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis A6 suggests that sOKGM increases the abundance of Bifidobacterium , balanced intestinal flora, and alleviated constipation in mice compared with other formulations. sOKGM with both enhanced gastric acid resistance and adhesion colonization at intestine can effectively improve the function of probiotics.

Improved Gastric Acid Resistance and Adhesive Colonization of Probiotics by Mucoadhesive and Intestinal Targeted Konjac Glucomannan Microspheres