Abstract: A method is disclosed for growth acid-producing bacterial cultures, such as diary cultures, wherein the culture is selected to contain a urease-producing strain of bacteria and the medium used for the culturing contains added urea. During culturing the urease hydrolyzes the urea to acid-neutralizing ammonia which limits the pH drop of the medium, thereby producing cultures of higher bacterial activity. The urea-containing culture media can also be employed with bacterial cultures which do not produce urease, providing urease is added to the culture medium during growth of the bacteria.

Abstract: Dried viable bacteria are admixed in a particulate carrier composed primarily of an inorganic salt of low moisture absorbing capacity together with a minor proportion of a silica gel absorbent. The inorganic salts may be sodium or calcium carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, or phosphates. The admixtures are storable without refrigeration.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming stabilized admixtures of dried viable harmless lactic acid producing bacteria. A blend is prepared from a non-toxic particulate carrier and a hydrophilic molecular sieve adsorbent. Preferably the blend contains at least 95% by weight of a carrier which has a very low water absorbing capacity, and the molecular sieve adsorbent is blended in about 0.1 to 2 parts by weight for each 98 to 99.9 parts of the carrier. The resulting admixtures are storable without refrigeration.

Abstract: A liquid adherent disinfectant composition for topical application comprises an aqueous acidic suspension of previously coagulated casein containing an aliphatic sulfate detergent as the effective agent for solubilizing the casein and converting it to a mucilaginous condition. The preparation also preferably contains glycerin and Lactobacillus-elaborated antibiotic-like factors. The composition can be prepared by fermenting a nonfat dry milk culture medium with harmless lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, until the casein coagulates, thereafter mechanically dispersing the coagulated casein and solubilizing it with the aliphatic sulfate detergent. The resulting disinfectant composition can be used as a teat dip for preventing mastitis in cattle, or for other topical disinfecting purposes with domestic animals. The compositions adhere to the areas to which they are applied while being readily removable by water washing.

Abstract: Stabilized liquid suspensions of probiotic Lactobacilli are provided as a dispersion of the viable cells in sunflower seed oil for administration to animals. The viable cells prior to combining with the oil have been dried at a favorable pH and in the presence of stabilizing additives. The dried cells are further characterized by having a low water activity. The invention has particular utility in administering Lactobacillus acidophilus cells as a drench to domestic animals.

Abstract: Concentrated bacterial cultures for direct vat inoculation of milk batches are prepared by centrifugation of the fermented culture in the presence of dissolved polyphosphate. Improved cell recovery and higher cell concentrations are obtained.