Stable probiotic microsphere compositions and their methods of preparation

摘要

The invention relates to viable and stable probiotic formulations for intestinal targeting made of microspheres comprising each a core of one or more probiotic bacteria, microcrystallline cellulose with a degree of polymerization from 165-365 and mean diameter from 45 to 180 mum, a disintegrant and a stabilizer, the core being coated with a non-enteric coating and further coated with an enteric coating. Each probiotic microsphere has a residual moisture level of less than 5% and a water activity (a_w) between 0.1 and 0.5. Such a probiotic microsphere shows no reduction in viable bacteria after one hour in simulated gastric fluid. The present invention also relates to the process of preparing such formulation.