Recoveries of bacteria after drying and heating in glutamate foams

A method of drying bacteria is described, in which the bacterial suspension was made in 40% sodium glutamate, and 0.1 ml. volumes of this in 8 ml. ampoules were dried in vacuo while being held in a water bath at 25 degrees C. After 1 hr. with the pump still running, the ampoules were immersed in water at 100 degrees C. The partly dried suspension expanded rapidly into a homogeneous white foam. After 30 min. the ampoules were taken off the manifold; small tubes containing dry P(2)O(5) were inserted in the ampoules which were then sealed in air. Preliminary results with three organisms, Salmonella ndolo, Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcescens showed high survivals immediately after the ;foaming' period, and good stability after 1 or 2 days at 100 degrees C.