Retention of β-galactosidase activity in crude cellular extracts from Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 11842 upon drying

Crude cellular extracts (CCEs) containing active β-galactosidase from Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 11842 were spray-dried at three different outlet air temperatures (45, 55 or 65°C) or freeze-dried, with or without whey proteins, casein, whey or skim milk as drying adjuncts. The use of whey or skim milk resulted in significantly ( P   <  0.05) higher β-galactosidase activity retention in comparison to all other CCEs. This effect was not related to the initial total solids (TS) content (4–10%) of the feedstock solutions, but was presumably caused by the presence of lactose in the whey or skim milk CCE preparations.