Spray Drying of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis C2 and Cellular Injury

Starter cultures were spray-dried at five outlet-air temperatures using four concentrations of cells in the feed solution. Powders made using the lowest outlet-air temperature and the highest cell concentration had the highest viability. Storage at 4°C for 3 mo caused a 34–86% loss of viability. Cellular injury resulted from dehydration, and exposure to high temperatures in the atomizer and during droplet drying. Lactic acid production was similar for frozen, freeze-dried and spray-dried cultures made from a single cell paste. The lag time before lactic acid production was apparently an inherent characteristic of each specific cell paste.