Role of Oxygen Scavengers in Improving the Stability and Viability of Pediococcns pentosaceus.

Abstract
Studies were done to improve the stability
and viability of probiotic lactic acid bacteria
Pediococcus pentosaceus by supplemeting cysteine
hydrochloride (Cys Hcl) and ascorbic acid (AA) as
oxygen scavengers at different concentrations. The
adjuvants were supplemented to the culture in MRS
broth stored at 28°C and 18°C for 12 days keeping
in mind the milk products like biocurd (patent no:
NF482005) prepared with the same culture till the
laboratory to be used for a period of 10 days. It
was found that Cys HCI and AA at a concentration(iOIl
of- JOOmg/L were the best 10 imprm'c the stability
and viability of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. During
the study, the decrease if the pH and all increase ill
the acidity in control with lower growth were
attributed to autolysis as visualized by scanning
electron microscopy. Release of proteins was also
observed. The increase ill growth in the
supplemented samples can be correlated to the
decrease in the 02 content thus improving the
stability and viability by four logs as compared to
the control.