Alternative drying processes for the industrial preservation of lactic acid starter cultures

The preservation of lactic acid starter cultures by alternative drying processes has attracted increasing attention due to the high costs and energy consumption of freezing and freeze drying. This review thus aims to provide a survey regarding the state of knowledge of starter culture production at high levels of viability. The results from numerous studies on various drying processes and lactic acid bacteria are summarized. The alternative drying processes considered, such as spray drying, fluidized bed drying, and vacuum drying, are mainly of industrial interest. The features, advantages, and disadvantages of these drying processes are described. In conclusion, the important factors that need to be considered, standardized, or optimized to achieve high levels of viability include intrinsic tolerance of cultures, growth media and conditions, stress induction, cell harvesting conditions, protective agents, rehydration conditions, enumeration of cells, and storage conditions.