METHOD AND STARTER COMPOSITIONS FOR THE GROWTH OF ACID PRODUCING BACTERIA AND BACTERIAL COMPOSITIONS PRODUCED THEREBY

摘要

A method for growing acid producing bacteria in the presence of an essentially water insoluble or a temporarily water insolubilized and thus initially solid form of a neutralizing agent in a growth medium is described. The water insoluble or insolubilized neutralizing agent is a base, basic salt or mixture thereof adapted to provide a controlled reaction with the acid produced by the bacteria without substantially raising the pH of the growth medium. Preferably the neutralizing agent is in a water insoluble form. Bulk starter compositions for growing the bacteria including the insoluble or the insolubilized neutralizing agent are also described. Further, bacterial compositions with enchanced storability and viability because of the insoluble or the insolubilized neutralizing agent are described. The method and bulk starter compositions are particularly adapted to growing lactic acid producing bacteria which are then used in making food and beverage products for animals and humans.