Abstract: Biocompatible medium and non-ionic polymer surfactants such as tyloxapol may be used in a composition for preserving cells, such as bacterial cells. Cells may be preserved, for example, by suspending them in a biocompatible medium containing tyloxaopol and preserving the suspension. Examples of a preservation procedure are drying by foam formulation, glacification, dessication, spray drying, fluidized bed drying, drying in a vacuum, drying in a dry atmosphere, and drying at a high temperature in the range of 15-35° C.