Enhancing the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG after spray drying and during storage

Publication date: 20 December 2017 Source:International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Volume 534, Issues 1–2 Author(s): Géraldine Broeckx, Dieter Vandenheuvel, Tim Henkens, Shari Kiekens, Marianne F.L. van den Broek, Sarah Lebeer, Filip Kiekens Increasing knowledge about the human microbiome has led to a growing awareness of the potential of applying probiotics to improve our health. The pharmaceutical industry shows an emerging interest in pharmaceutical formulations containing these beneficial microbes, the so-called pharmabiotics. An important manufacturing step is the drying of the probiotics, as this can increase the stability and shelf life of the finished pharmabiotic product. Unfortunately, drying also puts stress on microbial cells, thus causing a decrease in viability. We aimed to examine the effect of different drying media and protective excipients on the viability of the prototype probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG after spray drying and during subsequent storage for 28 weeks. The presence of phosphates in the drying medium showed to have a superior protective effect, especially during long-term storage at room temperature. Addition of lactose or trehalose resulted in significantly improved survival rates after drying as well as during long-term storage for the tested excipients. Both disaccharides are characterized by a high glass transition temperature. Maltodextrin showed less protective capacities compared to lactose and trehalose in all test...
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research