Effect of culture medium and cryoprotectants on the growth and survival of probiotic lactobacilli during freeze drying.

Aims: To investigate the effects of the medium and cryoprotective agents used on the growth and survival of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG during freeze drying.

Methods And Results: A complex medium was developed consisting primarily of glucose, yeast extract and vegetable-derived peptone. Trehalose, sucrose and sorbitol were examined for their ability to protect the cells during freeze drying.