Abstract: The potency of traditional oral enzyme preparations for treating lactose intolerance can be readily impaired by the strong acidic environment in the stomach. In order to overcome this problem, sun?ower sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs), a new plant-based carrier that can protect lactase from losing its activity, were prepared for use as a carrier for loading and protection of lactase. Loading, encapsulation and release experiments and observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser confocal microscopy (LCM) showed that gel microspheres of sodium alginate (5%) and carboxymethylpachymaran (6%) at a mixing ratio of 1:1 (V/V) gave the best release performance in vitro, allowing responsive release of lactase in simulated digestive fluids. The following experiments illustrated that this system also showed the potential as a freeze-drying protective agent for lactase. Based on this, this study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of SECs as an efficient delivery and protection carrier for lactase, which will provide a new idea for the treatment of lactose intolerance.

Key words: lactose intolerance; lactase; sporopollenin exine capsules; delivery; protection