The DVS pouches of commercial lyophilized cultures including YC-X11 yogurt bacteria (mixed culture of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) and pure strains of Bifidobacterium lactis B-12 were supplied by Chr-Hansen (Denmark). Bifidobacterium lactis B-94 was supplied by DSM (Australia). The
cultures were maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions, at -18°C until used.