Inorganic Additive Improves the Survival of the Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 During Spray Drying, Rehydration, and Storage

In previous in vitro studies, an inorganic additive (MCM 3 ) showed a thermo-protective effect on the cell viability of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 (Lr-CRL1505). In this work, cultures of this probiotic strain were spray dried at lab scale using two carriers: maltodextrin (powder MA) and maltodextrin plus MCM 3 (powder MA/MCM 3 ). The cell survival was higher in powder MA/MCM 3 (72.8%) than in powder MA (42.8%). Different rehydration media, including the additive MCM 3 , and two temperatures (37 °C and 45 °C) were evaluated. The best results were obtained in cells rehydrated at 37 °C in MCM 3 . During the storage of the powders, the highest cell counts were observed in the MA/MCM 3 powder. Our results demonstrated that the presence of MCM 3 in the carrier and in reconstitution media benefits the spray drying process and the recovery of dehydrated cells. Thus, the use of this additive of inorganic nature and low cost represents a promising technological alternative.