Storage conditions
The temperature of storage of fermented probiotic products is important for the viability of probiotic microorganisms. Low temperature restricts the growth of L. bulgaricus and consequently also over-acidification ( Kneifel et al., 1993). Most studies showed that higher survival rates of lactic acid bacteria were obtained at lower storage temperatures ( Gilliland & Lara, 1988; Foschino, Fiori, & Galli, 1996).
Bifidobacteria are substantially less tolerant to low temperature storage when compared to L. acidophilus ( Hughes & Hoover, 1995).