Probiotic Microencapsulation: Delivery Mechanisms, Material Development, and Applications in Food Systems

Probiotic microencapsulation technology is essential for enhancing the gastrointestinal delivery efficiency and the targeted colonization capacity of live bacterial strains, as different materials and fabrication methods enable the construction of microcapsules with distinct characteristics. This review systematically examines the delivery mechanisms, material systems, and advancements in food applications of probiotic microencapsulation. In terms of the delivery mechanism, it begins with an elaboration of multiscale encapsulation techniques such as extrusion, internal emulsification, and microfluidic technology, highlighting its advantages and applicable context in delivery mechanisms. In the field of materials science, the structural-functional properties and protective efficacy of polysaccharides, proteins, and intelligent responsive wall materials are analyzed. At the application level, it summarizes the key influencing factors and current application status of microcapsules in dairy products, fruit and vegetable beverages, and functional dietary supplements. The review clarifies the compatibility patterns between encapsulation technologies, such as extrusion, and various wall materials, demonstrating their potential to enhance probiotic stress resistance and improve food functionality. It also reveals the gap between theoretical development and industrial application in this field, providing valuable insights for industry-academia-research collaboration and precise regulation of microbial communities. Finally, the review envisions future research needs, including the development of low-cost, eco-friendly wall materials, personalized strain-material compatibility strategies, and innovations in large-scale continuous manufacturing processes, to facilitate the transition of probiotic microencapsulation from laboratory-scale research to industrial implementation.