In the case of alginate
micro encapsulation, the bacteria were released from the alginate
capsules by sequestering calcium ions with phosphate buffer at pH
7. Plates were incubated overnight at 37 C and the number of
colonies counted. The viability of cells was determined immediately
after the freeze drying process (0 h) and also at the end of
storage period. The bacterial counts were expressed as log mean
colony forming units (cfu) per gram of the cryoprotectant/support.