CRYOPROTECTIVE COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF
The invention pertains to compositions for preserving biological material or active molecules, particularly microorganisms, and their uses.
1 . A composition comprising:
(a) trehalose,
(b) inositol, and
(c) a microorganism,
wherein:
the w/w ratio (a)/(b) of said composition is from 1.1 to 1.7, and
said composition does not contain charcoal.
2 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said w/w ratio (a)/(b) is from 1.3 to 1.7.
3 - 6 . (canceled)
7 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is lactic acid bacteria.
8 . The composition according to claim 7 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria are selected from the group consisting of the strains of the genus Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Bifidobacterium, Carnobacterium, Enterococcus, Propionibacterium, Pediococcus , and Streptococcus.
9 . The composition according to claim 8 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria are selected from the group consisting of the strains of the species and subspecies Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus delbruckii bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pervulus, Propionibacterium freudenreichi, Propionibacterium jenseni , and Streptococcus salivarius.
10 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises the microorganism in a concentration from 1E8 CFU/g of composition to 5E12 CFU/g of composition.
11 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises:
(a) at least 4% trehalose, and
(b) at least 3% inositol.
12 - 17 . (canceled)
18 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least two microorganisms.
19 . The composition according to claim 18 , wherein the at least two microorganisms are lactic acid bacteria selected from the group consisting of the strains of the genus Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Bifidobacterium, Carnobacterium, Enterococcus, Propionibacterium, Pediococcus , and Streptococcus.
20 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said w/w ratio (a)/(b) is from 1.45 to 1.55.
21 . A composition comprising:
(a) sucrose,
(b) inositol, and
(c) a microorganism,
wherein:
the w/w ratio (a)/(b) of said composition is from 1.3 to 1.7, and
said composition does not contain charcoal.
22 . The composition according to claim 21 , wherein said w/w ratio (a)/(b) is from 1.4 to 1.6.