Synergistic combination of cryoprotectants improved freeze‐dried survival rate and viable counts of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

Well‐designed cryoprotectants are crucial for successful probiotic application. In this study, based on literature analysis, characteristics and economic analysis of cryoprotectants, the sucrose (8.2%)–skim milk (8.0%)–inulin (8.2%) combination was proposed and optimised to enhance freeze‐drying resistance of probiotics. Survival, viable cell counts and inactivation rate during storage at 4°C of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum grx16 protected by the combination was 94.9%, 1.89 × 10 11 cfu/g and 0.0116. The optimised sucrose–skim milk–polymer prebiotics combination could also effectively protect several other probiotics, with the survival rate being 89.2–95.6%. These results will aid in the rational development of synergistic cryoprotectant formulations for probiotics.