Freeze drying ensures synbiotics stay effective without refrigeration. Synbiotics combine probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (nutrients for those bacteria) to support gut health, but they often lose potency due to storage challenges. Freeze drying solves this by preserving their stability and potency through three steps: freezing, sublimation, and desorption.
Key Benefits of Freeze Drying:
- Probiotic Stability: Maintains up to 500 billion CFU per serving.
- No Refrigeration Needed: Products stay stable at room temperature.
- Improved Absorption: Microencapsulation protects bacteria through digestion.
- Convenient Formats: Powder sachets ensure easy use and quick absorption.
Freeze-dried synbiotics like Begin Rebirth RE-1™ also include protective agents (like prebiotic fibers) and advanced delivery systems (e.g., Lyosublime™) for better gut health, immune support, and reduced bloating - all backed by clinical studies.
How Freeze Drying Works
The 3 Steps of Freeze Drying
Freeze drying, or lyophilization, is a process designed to preserve synbiotic formulations while keeping their effectiveness and stability intact. It involves three key stages:
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Freezing Phase
First, the synbiotic mixture is frozen quickly at extremely low temperatures. This rapid freezing forms small ice crystals, which help maintain the structure of beneficial microorganisms and their associated compounds. -
Primary Drying (Sublimation)
Next, the frozen water in the mixture is transformed directly from ice to vapor. This happens under specific pressure and temperature conditions. During this phase, about 95% of the water content is removed, while the active components remain intact. -
Secondary Drying (Desorption)
Finally, any remaining moisture is eliminated through desorption. This step ensures the product is dry, stable, and retains its potency without the need for refrigeration.
Together, these steps ensure the formulation stays intact and ready to deliver its intended benefits.
Impact of Freeze Drying on Synbiotics
Technologies like the Lyosublime™ delivery system take preservation a step further. This system concentrates beneficial microbes and includes 4.5 g of prebiotic fiber per serving, offering added protection during digestion.
Additionally, microencapsulation with a lipid coating shields probiotic strains from harsh conditions in the digestive system, such as stomach acids, bile salts, and digestive enzymes. This protective layer ensures the synbiotics stay stable and effective as they move through the gut, supporting quick and efficient absorption.
Key Factors in Synbiotic Freeze Drying
Protective Agents in Freeze Drying
Protective agents play a crucial role in safeguarding microorganisms during freeze-drying. They do this through two main approaches:
- Prebiotic Fiber Protection: Ingredients like GOS and inulin serve as both prebiotics and protective agents, helping to shield microorganisms during the freeze-drying process.
- Microencapsulation Technology: A lipid coating provides an additional layer of protection for probiotic strains, reducing stress from freeze-drying and aiding survival through digestion.
These methods, combined with proper storage conditions, help maintain the effectiveness of synbiotic products over time.
Storage Requirements
Proper storage is just as important as protective agents for keeping synbiotic products effective. Advanced freeze-drying techniques, like those used in the Lyosublime™ Delivery System, allow probiotics to remain stable without refrigeration. This ensures high concentrations of viable probiotics are preserved.
Probiotic Strain Differences
The choice of probiotic strains also impacts how well they survive freeze-drying and function afterward. Begin Rebirth RE-1™ uses specially selected Human Origin Strains (HOSt™) to enhance immune support and genetic diversity. This formulation includes seven specific strains:
- Bifidobacterium longum BR-BB536
- Bifidobacterium breve BR-M16V
- Bifidobacterium infantis BR-M63
- Bifidobacterium breve BR-B3
- Lactobacillus gasseri BR-LAC-343
- Bacillus coagulans BR-LACRIS-S
- Lactobacillus helveticus BR-MCC1848
A Primer on Microbial Freeze Drying webinar
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Current Uses of Freeze-Dried Synbiotics
Freeze-dried synbiotics are gaining attention for their health benefits and user-friendly delivery methods.
Health Benefits
These synbiotics have been shown to improve various aspects of health. Clinical studies highlight their ability to ease digestive discomfort and support the immune system. Additional benefits include better digestive health, stronger immune responses, improved skin hydration and barrier function, as well as positive effects on mood and cognitive performance. These advantages are complemented by the advanced delivery formats now available.
Modern Product Formats
Today’s freeze-dried synbiotics often come in powder sachets, designed for quick absorption without the need for capsule breakdown. This format ensures high potency, effective prebiotic support, and long shelf life without refrigeration. These innovations pave the way for cutting-edge solutions like Begin Rebirth RE-1™.
Begin Rebirth RE-1™ Technology
Begin Rebirth RE-1™ utilizes the Lyosublime™ delivery system, which enhances synbiotic absorption and ensures product stability without refrigeration.
"Requires no breakdown of a capsule barrier, ensuring fastest absorption throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. Lyosublime™ delivery also concentrates higher quantities of microbes to improve biological efficacy - 500 billion CFU, ensuring maximum potency to deliver optimum benefits - no refrigeration necessary."
User reviews support the claims of rapid absorption and strong effectiveness.
| Feature | Clinical Impact |
|---|---|
| Absorption Rate | Improved absorption throughout the gastrointestinal tract, no capsule needed |
| Stability | Stable at room temperature, eliminating the need for refrigeration |
| Potency | Delivers 500 billion CFU per serving for maximum effectiveness |
| Delivery Format | Powder sachets designed for easy use and optimal dissolution |
Research Results and Future Development
Current Research Findings
Clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of freeze-dried synbiotics. In one independent study involving 35 adults aged 20–65, 94% reported reduced bloating and abdominal pain, while 87% experienced fewer allergies and infections after just seven days.
Over the last century, humans have lost nearly 50% of their gut microbiome. This decline underscores the need for improved preservation techniques for gut health.
"Human Origin Strains - HOSt™ are live, bioidentical microbes present during a healthy human birth...These strains exhibit superior physiological functions to establish and maintain balance. This is called Eubiosis."
New Preservation Methods
Building on these findings, advanced freeze-drying techniques are transforming synbiotic preservation. The Lyosublime™ delivery system is leading this shift, improving absorption throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
This research has driven innovations to address the challenges faced by urban populations:
| Innovation Feature | Performance Impact |
|---|---|
| Concentration Capability | Delivers 500 billion CFU potency |
| Fiber Integration | Retains 4.5g of prebiotic fiber (GOS & Inulin) |
| Temperature Stability | Eliminates the need for refrigeration |
| Delivery Efficiency | Enhances absorption in the gastrointestinal tract |
With 80% of urban populations lacking Human Origin Strains (HOSt™), these room-temperature-stable formulations make daily use more practical.
"Lyosublime™ Delivery also concentrates higher quantities of bacteria to improve biological efficacy - 500 billion CFU, ensuring maximum potency to deliver greatest benefits–no refrigeration necessary."
Conclusion
Main Points
Freeze drying plays a crucial role in preserving synbiotic formulations by keeping microorganisms and prebiotic components stable. This ensures their therapeutic effectiveness while extending shelf life. Here’s a quick breakdown of the benefits:
| Preservation Aspect | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Probiotic Viability | Retains maximum potency |
| Prebiotic Integrity | Preserves essential fibers |
| Storage Flexibility | Suitable for ambient temperatures |
| Delivery Efficiency | Improves absorption rates |
These advantages create a strong foundation for further advancements in synbiotic preservation.
Future Outlook
Freeze drying continues to evolve, with research focusing on improving microbial concentration, extending shelf life, and enhancing absorption. There's also growing interest in preserving delicate components like Human Origin Strains (HOSt™). Cutting-edge developments, such as the LyoSublime™ Delivery System, show how potency can be maintained without refrigeration, pointing to exciting progress in the field.