Spraying‐Drying Probiotic Microcapsules: Encapsulation Materials, Encapsulation Techniques, and Applications in Recent 10 Years

ABSTRACT Probiotics perform various functions in regulating human health, including maintaining intestinal flora and inhibiting inflammation. However, they are highly sensitive to heat and oxygen during processing and storage. Additionally, after ingestion, probiotics are influenced by factors such as pH levels in the digestive system, which can compromise their efficacy and prevent them from achieving the desired outcomes. Microencapsulation technology offers physical protection to probiotics through its outer layer, thereby maintaining a high survival rate during processing, storage, and ingestion. This protection extends the shelf life of probiotics and enhances their efficacy in promoting human health. Spray drying is a primary technique for the microencapsulation of probiotics and holds significant research importance. This article reviews the spray‐drying process of probiotics, the potential stress‐induced damage during this process, the protective mechanisms of wall materials used in probiotic microencapsulation, and recent advancements in spray‐drying technologies along with their applications. The aim is to offer valuable insights to guide the future application and development of spray‐dried probiotics in the fields of food, medicine, animal husbandry, and related areas.