Process-specific stress types in the production of probiotic tablets and their influence on the viability of the microorganisms contained

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kampen
• Subject Area: Mechanical Process Engineering ; Pharmacology
• Term: from 2021 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 457022725

Preparations with viable microorganisms, so-called probiotics, can change the human microbiome, especially the oral and intestinal flora, when taken and thus strengthen the immune system. They can therefore be used for the prevention of various diseases associated with dysbiosis, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, ulcers, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer. Probiotics for use in the oral cavity fend off pathogenic microorganisms that cause halitosis, caries dentium or periodontitis. The basis of the health-promoting properties of probiotic preparations is the viability of the microorganisms they contain, which is why maintaining viability during formulation is a key challenge in the development of probiotic products. In this research project, therefore, the identification of process-step-specific mechanisms of damage will lead to the systematic development of strategies to reduce lethal process influences based on models for quantifying these influences. Thereby, mechanical, chemical as well as thermal stresses shall be considered. Beyond the standard counting of colony forming units, different analytical methods will be established to assess the physiological state of all or single cells depending on process step and parameters as well as formulation. All steps of the process chain will be investigated: drying of the cells, further processing into powder mixtures and tableting. The tablets will be characterised with regard to their uniformity, mechanical properties, survival of the microorganisms and storage stability. Mechanical measurements on individual dried cells and cell aggregates will be performed to determine critical stress intensities and correlate them with the stresses in the process steps. The overall aim is to establish process and property functions for the various process steps as well as for the process chain with regard to the number of viable cells.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Dr. Jan Henrik Finke; Professor Dr.-Ing. Arno Kwade