3D Printing based Encapsulation Techniques

A method for encapsulating postbiotics using three-dimensional printing to create targeted delivery forms. The method involves depositing a postbiotic composition in a specific texture, shape, and size determined by the intended site of action, using techniques such as selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, binder jetting, or ink jetting. The composition can be mixed with a binder, such as chitosan, to facilitate encapsulation. The resulting encapsulated postbiotics can be designed to release their beneficial metabolites in a controlled manner, providing targeted therapeutic effects.

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A system and method for three-dimensional food printing of bioactive compounds encapsulated in food-grade biopolymer-based hydrogels. The method involves preparing a bio-ink composition comprising a predetermined concentration of a food-grade biopolymer, extruding the bio-ink composition from a three-dimensional food printing system to form a porous hydrogel, and freeze-drying the hydrogel to create encapsulated particles. The system enables precise control over particle size, porosity, and encapsulation efficiency, and can be used to print complex structures with multiple layers and materials.

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Double-network hydrogel particles for 3D printing, comprising two independent polymer networks: a first network formed by click chemistry between norbornene and tetrazine functionalized polyacrylamide, and a second network formed by ionic crosslinking of alginate. The particles can be precisely manipulated and assembled into complex 3D structures through digital assembly of spherical particles (DASP) printing.

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A structure material for additive manufacturing comprising a biocompatible polymer, a solvent, at least 10 million cells/mL, and a polymerization inhibitor, enabling high-fidelity reproduction of patient-specific organic shapes and improved quality control of geometric fidelity in 3D bioprinting applications.

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Double-gel system comprising an oleogel around a hydrogel, containing probiotic cells and prebiotic dietary fibers, for protecting probiotics from environmental degradation and delivering them to the gut. The system maintains probiotic viability during storage and passage through the gastrointestinal tract, while preventing degradation during processing. The oleogel phase provides structural support, while the hydrogel phase maintains probiotic viability. The system enables controlled release of probiotics in the colon environment, where they can colonize and interact with complex microbiota.

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A 3D printing system for creating engineered living materials by printing dense bacterial colonies in a hydrogel matrix support. The system uses a bioprinter to inject bacterial colonies into a hydrogel bath, where they are cured with UV light to form a 3D printed biohybrid material. The hydrogel matrix provides structural support for the colonies while allowing for nutrient diffusion, enabling the growth of complex bacterial structures in three dimensions.

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Bioactive compounds (BCs) provide numerous health benefits by interacting with one or more components of living tissues and systems. However, despite their potential health benefits, most of the BCs have low bioaccessibility and bioavailability, hindering their potential health-promoting activities. The conventional encapsulation techniques are time-consuming and have major limitations in their food applications, including the use of non-food grade chemicals, undesired sensory attributes, and storage stability issues. A cutting-edge, new technique based on 3D printing can assist in resolving the problems associated with conventional encapsulation technologies. 3D food printing can help protect BCs by incorporating them precisely into three-dimensional matrices, which can provide (i) protection during storage, (ii) enhanced bioavailability, and (iii) effective delivery and controlled release of BCs. Recently, various 3D printing techniques and inks have been investigated in order to create delivery systems with different compositions and geometries, as well as diverse release patterns... Read More

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Introducing specific strains of probiotics into the gut microbiome is a promising way to modulate the intestinal microbiome to treat various health conditions clinically. However, oral probiotics typically have a temporary or limited impact on the gut microbiome and overall health benefits. Here, we reported a 3D printed cellulose-derived spiral tube-like scaffold that enabled high efficacy of the oral delivery of probiotics. Benefiting from the unique surface pattern, this system can effectively extend the retention time of loaded probiotics in the gut without invading nearby tissues, provide a favorable environment for the survival and long-term colonization of loaded probiotics, and influence the intestinal ecosystem as a dietary fiber after degradation. We demonstrate Roseburia intestinalis -loaded scaffold exerts noticeable impacts on the regulation of the gut microbiome to treat various gut-related diseases, including obesity and inflammatory bowel disease; thus, we provide a universal platform for oral delivery of probiotics.

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A diet-reducing capsule containing multi-nutrient microspheres for weight loss and nutritional supplementation. The capsule comprises microspheres encapsulating probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals, which are protected from gastric acid and bile salts by an enteric coating. The microspheres are attached to a hydrogel matrix that provides a stable environment for nutrient release. The capsule shell is modified with laser-punched holes to accelerate gastric juice dissolution and timed nutrient release. The capsule promotes satiety, supports gut health, and provides essential nutrients for weight management.

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A method for preparing cell-laden collagen-gellan gum interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel using 3D-bioprinting, comprising preparing two bioinks with adequate shear-thinning properties, depositing the first bioink on a support media, depositing the second bioink into the first bioink, and crosslinking the gellan gum by adding a crosslinking agent. The method enables the fabrication of complex hydrogel structures with precise temperature control, overcoming limitations of conventional 3D printing techniques. The resulting hydrogel can be used as an artificial skin graft for wound treatment, offering a promising alternative to traditional skin substitutes.

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A bio-ink for 3D printing and bioprinting that eliminates the need for photoinitiators, comprising photocrosslinkable conjugates of hyaluronic acid and gelatin with a bifunctional photoreactive linker. The linker, consisting of umbelliferone and a triethylene glycol spacer, enables crosslinking upon UV exposure, forming a solid hydrogel structure without the use of toxic photoinitiators. The bio-ink exhibits suitable rheological properties for extrusion and maintains cell viability after encapsulation and crosslinking.

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Microencapsulating sensitive materials like probiotics to safely and efficiently deliver them to target locations like the gut. The encapsulation involves a core material like probiotics surrounded by an oil layer and then a solidifying lipid layer. The core is suspended in oil, then contact with molten lipid to form a solid shell. This provides a stable, tolerant microcapsule for delivering sensitive materials like probiotics through harsh conditions like stomach acid and moisture. The capsules have high viability and retention of the core material after storage and distribution.

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An increased demand for natural products nowadays most specifically probiotics (PROs) is evident since it comes in conjunction with beneficial health effects for consumers. In this regard, it is well known that encapsulation could positively affect the PROs' viability throughout food manufacturing and long-term storage. This paper aims to analyze and review various double/multilayer strategies for encapsulation of PROs. Double-layer encapsulation of PROs by electrohydrodynamic atomization or electrospraying technology has been reported along with layer-by-layer assembly and water-in-oil-in-water (W

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The application of probiotics is limited by the loss of survival due to food processing, storage, and gastrointestinal tract. Encapsulation is a key technology for overcoming these challenges. The review focuses on the latest progress in probiotic encapsulation since 2020, especially precision engineering on microbial surfaces and microbial-mediated role. Currently, the encapsulation materials include polysaccharides and proteins, followed by lipids, which is a traditional mainstream trend, while novel plant extracts and polyphenols are on the rise. Other natural materials and processing by-products are also involved. The encapsulation types are divided into rough multicellular encapsulation, precise single-cell encapsulation, and microbial-mediated encapsulation. Recent emerging techniques include cryomilling, 3D printing, spray-drying with a three-fluid coaxial nozzle, and microfluidic. Encapsulated probiotics applied in food is an upward trend in which "classic probiotic foods" (yogurt, cheese, butter, chocolate, etc.) are dominated, supplemented by "novel probiotic foods" (tea, p... Read More

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A 3D printable biocompatible polymer ink (photoink) that enables spatially controlled dual protein motifs for co-culture functionality. The photoink contains a biocompatible polymer with covalently bonded peptides, such as PEG-norbornene, that can be selectively patterned within 3D-printed scaffolds to mimic native cell-matrix interactions. This allows for the creation of complex vascular topologies that support endothelial cell attachment, spreading, and barrier development, with potential applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

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A probiotic microcapsule preparation method that produces uniform microcapsules with controlled particle size, high encapsulation efficiency, and resistance to gastric acids and high temperatures. The method involves coating probiotic bacteria with a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution containing a coating material, followed by lyophilization. The resulting microcapsules exhibit improved survival ratios and stability compared to conventional methods.

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A method for producing core-shell microparticles using bacterial cellulose (BC) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) for encapsulating bioactive cargos. The method involves grafting PHAs onto BC through an acylation reaction, followed by coaxial electrospraying to form spherical particles with a BC-PHA core and a PHA shell. The particles can be used for controlled release of bioactive substances.

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Probiotics have attracted great interest from many researchers due to their beneficial effects. Encapsulation of probiotics into biopolymer matrices has led to the development of active food packaging materials as an alternative to traditional ones for controlling food-borne microorganisms, extending food shelf life, improving food safety, and achieving health-promoting effects. The challenges of low survival rates during processing, storage, and delivery to the gut and low intestinal colonization, storage stability, and controllability have greatly limited the use of probiotics in practical food-preservation applications. The encapsulation of probiotics with a protective matrix can increase their resistance to a harsh environment and improve their survival rates, making probiotics appropriate in the food packaging field. Cellulose has attracted extensive attention in food packaging due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, environmental friendliness, renewability, and excellent mechanical strength. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the main types of cellu... Read More

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A 3D bioprinted probiotic delivery system for localized and sustained release of beneficial bacteria to treat bacterial infections. The system comprises a bioink containing a biocompatible polymer matrix and live probiotic cells, which are printed into a three-dimensional structure that releases the probiotics over an extended period. The system can be used to treat infections such as periodontitis and bacterial vaginosis by delivering probiotics directly to the affected site.

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Personalized three-dimensional (3D) printed foods rich in probiotics were investigated. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lp), as a representative of probiotics, was used to investigate the 3D printing of probiotic-rich dysphagia foods. Here, whey protein isolate nanofibrils (WPNFs) were coated and anchored on bacterial surfaces via biointerfacial supramolecular self-assembly, providing protection against environmental stress and the 3D printing process. The optimized composite gels consisting of High acyl gellan gum (0.25 g), whey protein isolate (1.25 g), fructooligosaccharides (0.75 g), Lp-WPNFs-Glyceryl tributyrate emulsion ( = 40%, 3.75 mL) can realize 3D printing, and exhibit high resolution, and stable shape. The viable cell count is higher than 8.0 log CFU/g. They are particularly suitable for people with dysphagia and are classified as level 5-minced & moist in the international dysphagia diet standardization initiative framework. The results provide new insights into the development of WPNFs-coating on bacterial surfaces to deliver probiotics and 3D printed food rich in probi... Read More

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