Patent ID: 7422737

Claim:
Solid porous cellular hydrocolloid carriers comprising porous freeze-dried hydrocolloid beads that include viable microorganisms entrapped therein, wherein the hydrocolloid is an alginate, agarose, Low Methoxy Pectin (LMP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Carrageenan or xanthan plus locust bean gum (LBG); and wherein the freeze-dried beads have diameters ranging from 50 microns to 500 microns; have a residual moisture of no more than 12%, and include a cryoprotectant comprising glycerol in an amount of 10 to 50% by weight of the hydrocolloid, wherein a not less than 50% to 95% of the microorganisms are viable both during freeze drying and after 12 to 36 months of storage as a dried solid at temperatures at or below minus 18° C.