Abstract: A fermented milk composition is provided. The composition comprises fermented milk. proteins. and optionally, sugars. oligosaccharides and carboxylic acid salts. The fermented milk comprises viable microorganisms. The composition has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Also provided are a method of preparing a dry fermented milk composition and a method of determining stability of the dry fermented milk composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding live or dead microorganisms and/or bioactive materials in a protective dry formulation matrix, wherein the formulation includes the bioactive microorganism or material, a formulation stabilizer agent, and a protective agent. The formulation is prepared by dispersing all the solid components in a solution, with or without a vacuum, and cooling the solution to a temperature above its freezing temperature. The methods include a primary drying step of the formulation at a desired temperature and time period, and an accelerated secondary drying step under maximum vacuum and elevated temperature, to achieve a final desirable water activity of the dry material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding live or dead microorganisms and/or bioactive materials in a protective dry formulation matrix, wherein the formation includes the bioactive microorganism or material, a formulation stabilizer agent, and a protective agent. The formulation agent is prepared by dispersing all the solid components in a solution, with or without a vacuum, and cooling the solution to a temperature above its freezing temperature. The methods include a primary drying step of the formulation at a desired temperature and time period, and an accelerated secondary drying step under maximum vacuum and elevated temperature, to achieve a final desirable water activity of the dry material.

Abstract: A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 1×1010 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after one month at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

Abstract: A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 1×1010 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 3 months at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

Abstract: A dry stable composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable microorganisms, at least 50% by weight of one or more hydrolyzed proteins and less than 10% by weight of one or more sugars selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides and combinations thereof, each weight percentage based on the total weight of the dry composition. Preferably, the composition comprises no monosaccharide or disaccharide. The composition may further comprise one or more oligosaccharides, one or more polysaccharides, one or more carboxylic acid salts, or a combination thereof. The composition may have viability of at least 1×1010 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 84 days at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable composition.

Abstract: Dry stabilizing compositions for bioactive materials include sugars and hydrolyzed proteins, and may be formed into tablets or other forms providing enhanced stability for the bioactive material. Compositions containing the bioactive materials may be produced by a method that includes (a) combining the bioactive material with other ingredients in an aqueous solvent to form a viscous slurry; (b) snap-freezing the slurry in liquid nitrogen to form solid frozen particles, beads, droplets or strings; (c) primary drying by water removal under vacuum of the product of step (b) while maintaining it at a temperature above its freezing temperature; and (d) secondary drying of the product of step (c) at maximum vacuum and a temperature of 20° C. or higher for a time sufficient to reduce the water activity to below 0.3 Aw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding live or dead microrganisms and/or bioactive materials in a protective dry formulation matrix, wherein the formation includes the bioactive microorganism or material, a formulation stabilizer agent, and a protective agent. The formulation agent is prepared by dispersing all the solid components in a solution, with or without a vacuum, and cooling the solution to a temperature above its freezing temperature. The methods include a primary drying step of the formulation at a desired temperature and time period, and an accelerated secondary drying step under maximum vacuum and elevated temperature, to achieve a final desirable water activity of the dry material.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for delivering an active agent to an animal, comprising an active agent, a first coating, a second coating and a third coating. The active agent is coated with the first coating, the first coating is coated with the second coating, and the second coating is coated with the third coating. The active agent is in contact with the first coating, not the second or third coating. The first coating separates the active agent from the second coating while the second coating separates the first and third coatings. The first, second and third coatings are different from each other. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Dry stabilizing compositions for bioactive materials include sugars and hydrolyzed proteins, and may be formed into tablets or other forms providing enhanced stability for the bioactive material. Compositions containing the bioactive materials may be produced by a method that includes (a) combining the bioactive material with other ingredients in an aqueous solvent to form a viscous slurry; (b) snap-freezing the slurry in liquid nitrogen to form solid frozen particles, beads, droplets or strings; (c) primary drying by water removal under vacuum of the product of step (b) while maintaining it at a temperature above its freezing temperature; and (d) secondary drying of the product of step (c) at maximum vacuum and a temperature of 20° C. or higher for a time sufficient to reduce the water activity to below 0.3 Aw.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating seeds with biological materials such as bacteria, fungi (e.g., yeasts and molds), parasites, recombinant vectors, and viruses. The method comprises (a) applying a moistening liquid to seeds to moisten seeds, wherein the moistening liquid comprises a moistening polymer, and (b) coating the moistened seeds with an effective amount of a dry composition, wherein the dry composition comprises biological materials, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, one or more polysaccharides, one or more carboxylic acid salts, and one or more hydrolyzed proteins. The coated seeds may have an initial water activity (Aw) below 0.4, and the microorganisms on the coated seeds have initial viability of at least 5 logs of colony forming units per gram of seeds (CFU/g seed). Also provided are coated seeds.

Abstract: A dry stable composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable microorganisms, at least 50% by weight of one or more hydrolyzed proteins and less than 10% by weight of one or more sugars selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides and combinations thereof, each weight percentage based on the total weight of the dry composition. Preferably, the composition comprises no monosaccharide or disaccharide. The composition may further comprise one or more oligosaccharides, one or more polysaccharides, one or more carboxylic acid salts, or a combination thereof. The composition may have viability of at least 1×1010 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 84 days at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable composition.

Abstract: A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 1×1010 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 3 months at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for delivering an active agent to an animal, comprising an active agent, a first coating, a second coating and a third coating. The active agent is coated with the first coating, the first coating is coated with the second coating, and the second coating is coated with the third coating. The active agent is in contact with the first coating, not the second or third coating. The first coating separates the active agent from the second coating while the second coating separates the first and third coatings. The first, second and third coatings are different from each other. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Dry stabilizing compositions for bioactive materials include sugars and hydrolyzed proteins, and may be formed into tablets or other forms providing enhanced stability for the bioactive material. Compositions containing the bioactive materials may be produced by a method that includes (a) combining the bioactive material with other ingredients in an aqueous solvent to form a viscous slurry; (b) snap-freezing the slurry in liquid nitrogen to form solid frozen particles, beads, droplets or strings; (c) primary drying by water removal under vacuum of the product of step (b) while maintaining it at a temperature above its freezing temperature; and (d) secondary drying of the product of step (c) at maximum vacuum and a temperature of 20° C. or higher for a time sufficient to reduce the water activity to below 0.3 Aw.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solid glass matrix of polysaccharide, saccharides and polyols as delivery vehicles for preservation and post gastric administration of a probiotic. The delivery vehicle is capable of releasing the probiotic at their site of action. The present invention further includes methods of making and using the solid glass matrix delivery vehicle of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulations and methods for stabilizing and protecting of biologic materials during harsh storing and use conditions, wherein the formulations relate to embedded bioactive materials and biologics, including live bacteria, in a protective glassy matrix.

Abstract: Biodegradable and nutritionally attractive composition comprising biocidal or antibiotic compounds and/or microbes having bio-adhesion and controlled buoyancy properties are selectively fed to an aquatic organism in open or closed water-bodies, and bioactive components are released upon contact with mucosal tissues such as gill, skin or along the digestive tract of the selected aquatic organism.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle for bioactive agents and live probiotic microbes to aquatic animals protects the bioactive compounds and microbes from digestion and destruction in the animal stomach. It provides for controlled release of bioactive agents and live probiotic microbes to aquatic animals in the form of dry or wet beadlets with essential nutrients and attractants bound with soluble starch and cross-linked alginate. The bioactive agents and live probiotic microbes can be bound with emulsified high-amylose starch and embedded in the beadlets in the form of microparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and a method for manufacturing semi-dry or dry particles containing a mucoadhesive polymer and a bioactive agent such as, but not limited to, an Immunogenic Substance (e.g., a vaccine), that allows the oral or nasal administration and delivery of the bioactive agent essentially unaltered to mucosal surfaces in the animal, including an aquatic animal.