DRY MATRIX FOR EMBEDDING VIABLE ESCHERICHIA COLI, METHOD OF MAKING SAME AND USE THEREOF
There is provided viable Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) embedded in a matrix, wherein said matrix has a water activity (a w )≤0.3, and wherein said matrix comprises a hydrocolloid-forming polysaccharide, a second polysaccharide which is different from the first polysaccharide, and a disaccharide which includes sucrose, trehalose, or a combination thereof. There is also provided methods of making same and use thereof.
1 - 27 . (canceled)
28 . A method for protecting viability of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) during a drying process, the method comprising: forming particles comprising the E. coli embedded in alginate, and a preservation solution including maltodextrin or dextran, and sucrose or trehalose, wherein the drying process includes drying said particles to obtain a water activity (a w ) of ≤0.3.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein said forming particles comprises:
mixing said E. coli with the alginate to form a mixture;
forming the particles from the mixture; and
contacting the particles with the preservation solution.
30 . The method of claim 28 , wherein said preservation solution includes a ratio of the sucrose or trehalose/maltodextrin or dextran of less than 10, wherein the ratio is wt. %/wt. %.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the ratio is of less than 5.
32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the ratio is of about 1.
33 . The method of claim 28 , wherein said particles further comprise a salt of L-glutamic acid.
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein said salt is sodium salt of L-glutamic acid.
35 . A method for increasing viability of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) in a dry state, the method comprising: forming particles comprising the E. coli embedded in alginate, and a preservation solution including maltodextrin or dextran, and sucrose or trehalose, and drying said particles to obtain a water activity (a w ) of ≤0.3.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said drying is performed to obtain 0.04≤a w ≤0.3.
37 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said forming particles comprises:
mixing said E. coli with the alginate to form a mixture;
forming the particles from the mixture; and
contacting the particles with the preservation solution.
38 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said preservation solution includes a ratio of the sucrose or trehalose/maltodextrin or dextran of less than 10, wherein the ratio is wt. %/wt. %.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the ratio is of less than 5.
40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the ratio is of about 1.
41 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said particles further comprise a salt of L-glutamic acid.
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein said salt is sodium salt of L-glutamic acid.
43 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said drying includes air drying.
44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein said drying includes drying said particles in an air dryer.
45 . The method of claim 43 , wherein said drying includes drying said particles in a desiccator.
46 . The method of claim 45 , wherein said drying includes a first drying in an air drier and a second drying in a desiccator.
47 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said drying includes freeze drying.