3.2. Freeze drying and storage viability of immobilized lactic acid
bacteria
Table 1 shows the viability of different lactic acid bacteria on
various supports after freeze drying and storage at 4 C. The initial
cell suspension of individual lactic acid bacteria contained
109e1010 cfu/g which decreased to 107 cfu/g i.e., 67e70% viability,
immediately after the freeze drying process. Similar viabilities have
been reported by Otero, Espeche, and Nader, 2007 during the freeze
drying of selected lactic acid bacteria.
forming parallel but disorganized strands have the potential to hold
many bacteria in the spaces (Fig. 2A) and also on the surface
(Fig. 2B).
Fig. 1B and C show the calcium alginate capsules and skim milk
matrix respectively used in the present study.
As a representative example L. delbrueckii NCIM 2025 cells
immobilized on bacterial cellulose are shown in Fig. 2A and B while
Fig. 2C shows the same bacteria encapsulated in calcium alginate.