Simultaneous vehiculation of probiotics and yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) seed extract to develop a new vegan multifunctional ingredient

This study aimed to evaluate the simultaneous vehiculation of probiotics and yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) seed extract. The 50% ethanol solvent showed the highest efficiency in extracting total phenolic compounds and total sugars. This extract was then evaluated as a fermentation medium for Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL B-4495 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NRRL B-4496. As a result, probiotic populations showed a drop of 1.6–2.2 logarithmic cycles and maintained total phenolic content during 48 h of fermentation. L. acidophilus and the yellow mombin seed extract were co-encapsulated by spray drying using maltodextrin (M) or maltodextrin associated with pectin (MP). The M and MP microcapsules showed probiotic encapsulation efficiency above 98% and diameters of 15.18–16.37 μm. Maltodextrin microcapsules showed a higher concentration of total phenolics and MP higher antioxidant activities. The microcapsules showed inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, microencapsulation provided over 75% survival of L. acidophilus in the simulated gastric fluid. Therefore, microcapsules containing probiotics and yellow mombin extract are promising multifunctional ingredients for developing new vegan nutraceutical products.