Probiotic potential of lyophilized Lactobacillus plantarum GP

Abstract Purpose Freeze drying of Lactobacillus plantarum GP in the presence of wall materials to achieve improved survival and retention of probiotic functionality during storage. Methods L . plantarum cells were lyophilized in the presence of inulin, fructooligosaccharides, lactulose, and/or skim milk. The lyophilized vials were stored at 8–10 °C up to 6 months and cells from these vials were evaluated for their probiotic functionality. Results L. plantarum GP freeze dried in the presence of wall material lactulose displayed viability of 98 ± 2.8% promising survival rate in the stress conditions of human digestive tract. The freeze dried cells of Lactobacilli retained the ability to adhere intestinal mucin layer, form biofilm, inhibit food spoilage and enteropathogens, produce β-galactosidase, bile salt hydrolase and γ-amino butyric acid, remove cholesterol, and scavenge DPPH radical. Conclusion Lyophilized cells of L . plantarum GP retained all the functional characteristics without any significant loss during storage, which prompts to incorporate prebiotics for the development of stable functional food products.