Probiotics - bacteria that can exert beneficial effects on the host - and prebiotics - fermentable ingredients that enhance the growth of these probiotics - have been shown promising results as commercial supplements to reduce dysbiosis and enhance gut function. Synbiotics, the combination of probiotics and prebiotics, can significantly enhance the probiotic effect. Probiotics must be encapsulated to protect their loss through gastric conditions, and with the advances in precision nutrition, the scale-up of tailored synbiotics remains costly and challenging at industrial levels. 3D Printing offers an efficient and cost-effective method to achieve this production without affecting stability or functional characteristics. This work explores a way to encapsulate prebiotics with Bifidobacterium species using a 3D Printer, producing a candidate for commercial synbiotics with high encapsulation yield, better stability, and targeted delivery. The formulation will be assessed with gastrointestinal conditions, long-term stability, and size homogeneity. The findings could contribute to the development of synbiotics for use in supplements and foods, supporting the development of next-generation synbiotics with gut health functionality.
