Methods are disclosed for encapsulating a material, including the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous solution or suspension of the material that is to be encapsulated, (b) warming the aqueous solution or suspension to a temperature that is sufficient to enable dissolution of a first biocompatible polymer in the aqueous solution or suspension without adversely affecting the properties of the material to be encapsulated, (c) dissolving the first biocompatible polymer in the aqueous solution / suspension, (d) de-aerating the solution or suspension obtained in step (c), (e) emulsifying the solution or suspension obtained in (d) in a biocompatible oil comprising a surfactant to create microdroplets, and (f) hardening the microdroplets by dropwise addition of an aqueous solution comprising divalent zinc ions and a second biocompatible polymer to form microcapsules. Also disclosed are microcapsules obtained by these methods and their uses. The microcapsules are used to deliver bacteria and bacteriophages, i.e., probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus sp, Bifidobacterium sp and Lactococcus sp and to treat bacterial infections.
