AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A SOFT GEL CAPSULE COMPRISING VIABLE PROBIOTIC BACTERIA AND A SOFT GEL CAPSULE COMPRISING VIABLE PROBIOTIC BACTERIA HAVING A LONG SHELF LIFE

摘要

The present invention provides a method for producing a soft gel capsule comprising uncoated probiotic bacteria, the method comprising gentle mixing the uncoated probiotic bacteria with at least one oil to obtain a soft gel capsule fill material at a temperature in the range of 5 to 15°C, encapsulating the fill material in a soft gel capsule made of a gelatin having a melting point in the range of 11 to 28°C; and drying the soft gel capsule in one or more steps to a water activity of at the most 0.25 at a temperature of at the most 25°C, as well as soft gel capsules produced by this method. The present invention further provides a soft gel capsule comprising dried, uncoated, non-spore-forming probiotic bacteria.