Probiotic are one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Revenues this year are predicted to reach $3.5 billion in the US alone and the European market is set to double by 2013.

 

Increasing clinical evidence is emerging on probiotics ranging from treatment and prevention of diseases (like IBS) to maintaining a healthy gut and immune function.

 

However probiotics are currently restricted to mainly chilled and liquid applications like yoghurts due to their sensitivity to oxygen, light and heat.

 

The cost of unstable probiotics to a food manufacture is demonstrated below

 

Assuming a freeze dried (FD) probiotic powder typically contains 10¹¹cells/g = 10¹? cells/kg and costs US $500/kg then a Therapeutic dose of 10? cells = US 0.5 cents/dose. This means

 

•         A formulation loss of 1 log over shelf life of product  = US 5 cents/serve to maintain a therapeutic dose

 

•         A formulation loss of 2 log over shelf life of product = US 50 cents/serve to maintain a therapeutic dose

 

•         A formulation loss of 3 log over shelf life of product = US $5/serve to maintain a therapeutic dose

 

The technology of EnCoate™ is focused on stabilizing and extending the shelf life of Lactobacillus and Bifido bacteria so they can be included in food applications such as capsules, cereals, infant formulas, snack bars, animal feeds and pet foods.