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
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 wherein the soft gel capsule comprises at least E+09 viable bacteria after 24 months of storage at 25° C., e.g. at least 2 E+09 viable bacteria after 12 months of storage at 25° C.
