Abstract:

High viability, storability and tolerance to variable environmental conditions, especially to freeze-drying, are
key factors in the development of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starter cultures. The effects of diverse growth conditions on
the survival of LAB during subsequent freeze-drying are reviewed in this article, including intrinsic factors of strains,
culture time, medium components, and changes in temperature and pH. This review illustrates that the survival of lactic acid
bacteria during freeze-drying depends on its inherent genes, and genetic differences determine different resistance of lactic
acid bacteria to freeze-drying. At the same time, the survival of lactic acid bacteria is associated with components of the cell
membrane and the bacterial morphology. Lactic acid bacteria usually have stronger tolerance to freeze-drying when they
are cultured in the stable phase. Medium components have different influences on different LAB strains. The lower culture
temperature and pH helps improve the tolerance of lactic acid bacteria to freeze-drying. This paper may provide a reference
for improving the survival ability of LAB during freeze-drying.

Key words: lactic acid bacterial starter culture, freeze-drying, diverse culture conditions, survival ability