IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 10, Issue 10 Ver. II (October 2017), PP 45-51 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2380-1010024551 www.iosrjournals.org 45 | Page Studies on optimization of cost effective medium for production of Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum RSLP003, and enhanced stability even at simulated harsh conditions by Co- Microencapsulation G.Babul Reddy 1* , Karuganti Sukumar 1 , G.Swarnabala 2 , K. Ravi Kumar 2 , B.Rajasekhar 2 , K.Venkatanand Reddy 2 , V.Muneel 2 RADOSOM, R&D center, Som Phytopharma (India) Ltd, Hyderabad, India Corresponding author: babulreddy@agrilife.in Abstract: Lactobacillus plantarum RSLP003 was isolated from Fruit juice wastes and identified by phenotypic studies as well as biochemical characterization. A cost effective growth medium for Lactobacillus plantarum RSLP003 was optimized. In the present study, Modified MRS (MMRS) medium was formulated by using Cabbage juice medium (CJM) and half strength MRS medium, which showed highest yield in broth (5.2X10 9 /ml)and cell pellet (4.5X10 11 /g).Co-Microencapsulation was done employing Calcium alginate, Pregelatinized starch, Chitosan, Flax seed oil and Inulin. Inulin was used as a Prebiotic. Survivability of co- microencapsulated cells were checked in low pH condition (pH 1.5), different bile concentrations (1%, 1.5%&2%) and different temperatures (70 0 C, 80 0 C, 90 0 C) i.e. simulated gastric environment. In all the parameters co-microencapsulated cells showed good survivability when compared to the free cells. These results establish Lactobacillus plantarum RSLP003 as a potential human and animal gut probiotic. Keywords: Cabbage juice medium (CJM), Co-Microencapsulation, Lactobacillus plantarum, Prebiotic, Simulated gastric environment. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 09-10-2017 Date of acceptance: 27-10-2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction In recent days, usage of Antibiotics is revisited, due to misusage and increasing antibiotic resistance of disease causative microorganisms and further side effects on host. Therefore, to replace the Antibiotics an alternative, safe and long term solution for treating the diseases is required. Probiotics have been proved to be safe, natural and eco – friendly alternative. Probiotics are living microbes when administered in required amounts, show beneficial effects on host [1]. Among the probiotics, Bifidobacteria and Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most common microbial groups [2]. In Lactic Acid Bacteria, species of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus and Bifidobacterium are most prevalent [3]. Lactobacillus genus includes various species that shows high degree of diversity. Among all the species, Lactobacillus plantarum is flexible and versatile species which can be found in various environmental niches. L.plantarum is usually found as a natural habitat in human gastro intestinal tract [4]. Lactobacillus plantarum is a Gram positive, non-spore forming and homofermentative, rod shaped bacterium [5]. Lactobacillus plantarum differs from other species by showing unique features like large genome which shows the ability to adapt at various conditions and fermentation of different carbohydrates [4]. L.plantarum requires high Manganese and it can build up large quantities of intracellular manganese [6].Manganese protects the microbe against the toxicity of oxygen by reducing them to Hydrogen peroxide and oxygen radicals[7].By Manganese co-factor Pseudocatalase, Hydrogen peroxide is converted to oxygen and water [8]. In order to show useful effects of probiotics, it must survive in severe acidic conditions of gastrointestinal tract and high load of microbes should reach the large intestine which helps them to colonize and proliferate. Literature shows recommendation of ingestion of probiotic at a range of Colony Forming Units is 10 7 -10 9 per day per adult. This is the optimum microbial load, so after reaching the colon at least 10 6 -10 7 Colony Forming Units must be colonized to show commensalism and colonization. Most of the probiotic species cannot withstand low pH in gastric tract and also exposure of oxygen may limit their effectiveness [1]. To protect the microbial cells from harsh conditions, Microencapsulation and Immobilization are mostly used [9]. In Microencapsulation process microbial cells are encapsulated by a matrix of compounds like Alginate, Soluble Starch etc. Microencapsulation protects the probiotic microbes form harsh conditions in