Encapsulation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus using sodium alginate improves flavour and the nutritional value of pork broth

Probiotic stability and activity during broth fermentation are crucial for enhancing the flavour and nutritional value of the final product. This study introduces a novel staining technique that allows differentiation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus within sodium alginate (SA) encapsulated microspheres without altering the SA structure. Encapsulation efficiencies were 88.41% for L. rhamnosus and 82.68% for S. xylosus, with the staining technique enhancing thermal stability. Co-fermentation in pork broth resulted in significant increases in organic acids (e.g., lactic acid from 3.209 g/L to 8.673 g/L and acetic acid), thereby improving sensory attributes. Amino acid analysis revealed substantial increases in essential amino acids, including glutamic acid (from 7.493 mg/100 g to 27.422 mg/100 g) and glycine (from 12.435 mg/100 g to 30.632 mg/100 g), which contributed to an improved nutritional profile. Furthermore, significant increases in volatile compounds, such as isophorone (up to 148.25 μg/L), 1-Octanol (up to 39.02 μg/L), and benzaldehyde (up to 570.84 μg/L), enriched the aroma of the pork broth. SA encapsulation maintained probiotic viability throughout the extended fermentation period, while strain interactions further enriched both nutritional and flavour profiles. These findings highlight the potential of SA encapsulation combined with co-fermentation to optimize the sensory and nutritional qualities of fermented foods.