For the improvement of the probiotics' viability, a novel nanofiber mats consisting of chitosan (CS)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 and inulin (INU) as a prebiotic were fabricated via electrospinning approach. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that cells were well encapsulated in nanofibers with a diameter ranging from 117.5 +/- 70.6 to 217.6 +/- 62.7 nm and fluorescence microscopy images also revealed the viability of bacteria. Thermal analysis of fibrous mats proposed potential use of them in heat-treated foods owing to high melting temperatures (> 200 degrees C). Moreover, in comparison to free cells, the survivability of cells especially enclosed in CS/PVA/INU electrospun fibers were remarkably increased under simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal fluids (SIF). This study shows that the electrospun fiber mats are acceptable platforms for the protection of living probiotic cells and provide a substitute way for the expansion of functional food.