Process for the production of freeze dried micro-organisms and related compositions
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of freeze dried microorganism composition, comprising the step of (i) subjecting a frozen composition comprising micro-organisms to a drying pressure of from 133 Pa [1000 mT] to 338 Pa [2540 mT] such that at the drying pressure the frozen composition is dried by sublimation of water present in the frozen composition to provide a freeze dried composition comprising the micro-organisms.
1. A process for the preparation of freeze dried micro-organism composition, comprising the step of:
(i) subjecting a frozen composition comprising micro-organisms to a drying pressure of from 133 Pa [1000 mT] to 200 Pa [1500 mT] such that at the drying pressure the frozen composition is dried by sublimation of water present in the frozen composition to provide a freeze dried composition comprising the micro-organisms, wherein the micro-organisms are subjected to drying during a primary and a secondary drying phase and wherein the drying pressure is applied to the micro-organisms through the entire primary drying phase.
2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the micro-organisms are selected from the group consisting of yeasts, moulds, fungi, bacteria and mixtures thereof.
3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the micro-organisms are selected from one or more strains of bacteria.
4. A process according to claim 3 wherein the one or more strains of bacteria are selected from lactic acid bacteria.
5. A process according to claim 4 wherein the lactic acid bacteria are selected from Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the frozen composition is in the form of frozen pellets.
7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the process comprises the additional step of (i′) freezing a composition comprising micro-organisms to provide the frozen composition of step (i).
8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the freeze dried micro-organism composition comprises the one or more strains of bacteria in an amount of 1E8 to 5E12 CFU/g of freeze dried micro-organism composition.
9. A process according to claim 1 wherein in step (i) the composition is subjected to a temperature of from 10 to 40° C.
10. A process according to claim 1 wherein in step (i) the composition is subjected to a temperature of approximately 25° C.
11. A process according to claim 1 wherein the drying pressure is applied to the frozen composition comprising micro-organisms for a period of from 24 to 72 hours.
12. A process according to claim 1 wherein the freeze dried composition is subsequently milled.
13. A process for the preparation of a food or feed, the process comprising
(a) preparing a freeze dried micro-organism composition in accordance with claim 1 ; and
(b) combining the freeze dried micro-organism composition with a foodstuff or feedstuff.
14. A freeze dried micro-organism composition prepared by a process as defined in claim 1 .
15. A food or feed comprising
(a) a freeze dried micro-organism composition as defined in claim 14 ; and
(b) a foodstuff or feedstuff.
16. A method of preparing a freeze dried micro-organism composition having improved stability and/or improved cell count and/or increased density and/or improved dispersibility, the method comprising:
applying a drying pressure of from 133 Pa [1000 mT] to 200 Pa [1500 mT] to a frozen composition comprising micro-organisms to dry the frozen composition by sublimation of water present in the frozen composition, wherein the micro-organisms are subjected to drying during a primary and a secondary drying phase and wherein the drying pressure is applied to the micro-organisms through the entire primary drying phase.