Rational design of lycopene emulsion-based nanofood for Lactobacillus plantarum to enhance the growth and flavor production

Lactobacillus plantarum ( L. plantarum ) is an important probiotic with numerous positive effects on human health and food processing. Although many studies have focused on improving the growth and activities of probiotics with water-soluble additives, the bioavailability and functional benefits of fat-soluble active substances (FSAS) to probiotics have been neglected their poor water-solubility, which impedes absorption by probiotics. To explore the application of FSAS to L. plantarum , in this work, the emulsion-based nanofood (EBN) was designed to enable adsorption and improve the bioavailability of FSAS to L. plantarum . Properties (including particle size, zeta potential, microstructure, encapsulation rate and storage stability) of the EBN consisting of lycopene-casein-soybean soluble polysaccharide complexes were assayed, and the functions of nanofood in the growing environment of L. plantarum (pH and fluid nutrient medium stability) was explored. The results showed that EBN possessed good properties and stability for the culture of L. plantarum . Compared to respective control groups, groups containing lycopene EBN not only showed an obvious promotion effect on L. plantarum growth in plate count, but also, at MRS culture medium, greatly enhanced the contents of acids, aldehydes, and other volatile compounds, and increased the total numbers and contents of volatile components by L. plantarum . This study demonstrated that this nanofood is an effective way to regulate the relationship of microorganisms and FSAS. • Rational design of emulsion-based nanofood for Lactobacillus plantarum . • Exploring the relationship between Lactobacillus plantarum and fat-soluble active substances (eg: lycopene). • O/W emulsion regarded as an effective way to regulate the relationship of microorganisms and fat-soluble active substances. • Lycopene emulsion-based nanofood having obvious promotion effect on L. plantarum growth.