Effects of simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and bile salts (BS) on the survival of microencapsulated and free phages.

Microencapsulated (ME) and free phages were exposed to SGF (A) at different pH values for 2, 5, 15 and 30 min or exposed to BS (B) at 1% and 2% for 1 and 3 h. Data represents mean values ± SEM of three independent experiments. Right, interaction plot of phage survival means calculated for timepoint at each phage condition. Different letters represent significant differences between groups (P<0.05), whereas letters shared in common between or among the groups indicate no significant differences.