Liquid starter cultures having an improved storage stability and use thereof

A liquid starter culture capable of retaining at least 50% of i's initial metabolic activity at a temperature of −20° C. or higher for 1 week or more, said culture comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a sugar alcohol including glycerol, carbohydrates including ascorbic acid, disaccharides including sucrose and trehalose, vitamins, antioxidants, inert gases and surfactants including Tween® compounds.

A method of stabilising a liquid starter culture, the method comprising adding to the culture concentrate an effective amount of a metabolic activity stabilising compound whereby at least 50% of the initial metabolic activity of the culture concentrate is retained at a temperature of −20° C. or higher for 1 week or longer.

A method of providing a liquid starter culture which is capable of retaining at least 50% of its initial metabolic activity at a temperature of −20° C. or higher for 1 week or more, said method comprising adding to the culture an amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a sugar alcohol including glycerol, carbohydrates including ascorbic acid, disaccharides including sucrose and trehalose, vitamins, antioxidants, inert gases and surfactants including Tween® compounds, said amount being sufficient to maintain the starter culture in a liquid state at a temperature in the range of −20° C. to 0° C.