Compositions comprising maltotriose are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise maltotriose and at least one component whose function is subject to impairment by a dehydration process, such as a live microorganism. Methods for inhibiting damage caused by dehydration are also disclosed herein. In particular embodiments, the method includes preparing a composition comprising maltotriose and at least one component whose function is subject to impairment by a dehydration process and removing water from the composition by one or more dehydration processes.本文中揭示包含麥芽三糖的組成物。在某些具體例中，該組成物包含麥芽三糖及至少一種功能受到脫水方法傷害的成分，諸如活的微生物。在本文中也揭示抑制由脫水導致之傷害的方法。在特別具體例中，該方法包含製備一種包含麥芽三糖及至少一種功能受到脫水方法損害的成分的組成物，且藉由一或多個脫水方法由該組成物移除水。
