Protective effect of sorbitol and monosodium glutamate during storage of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria

The effects of sorbitol and monosodium glutamate upon survival during storage of freeze-dried Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus faecalis were examined. There were no significant differences in survival during freeze-drying after addition of sorbitol or monosodium glutamate. However, these compounds were found to increase the stability of most strains during long-term storage. Various survival patterns were observed among the strains considered. However, for most of them, both compounds were proven effective in maintaining high degrees of viability over long periods of storage.