Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of encapsulation techniques.

Encapsulation technique	Capsule size	Advantages	Disadvantages	References
Emulsification	0.2 um−8 mm	• Higher survival rates of bacteria • Control release of capsules with desired size	• Variation in shape of capsules • Addition of extra polymer layer to protect encapsulated cells	(9) (28)
Spray drying	10–120 um	• Easy scale- up with mass production • Inexpensive • Economic process with minimum energy utilization	• Higher temperatures results in loss of viability of cells • Incorporation of additional cooling devices	(29) (30)
Lyophilisation	-	• Provides larger surface areas of microcapsules • Most widely used method for sensitive materials	• Formation of ice crystals damage probiotic cells • Need of additional cryo- protectants	(31) (32)
Extrusion	1,000–5,000 um	• Easy scale- up with mass production • Inexpensive • Continuous process	• Large size capsules formation • Complex setting of physico- chemical parameters	(33) (34)
Electrospraying	5 um- 1,000 um	• High voltage and speed reduces chances of toxicity due to solvents • Inexpensive • Control release of capsules with desired size	• Shear forces affect the viability of encapsulated probiotics	(35)