Improved Viability of Spray Dried Brewer's Yeast by Using Starch (Grits) and Maltodextrin as Processing AIds

Active dry brewer's yeast was prepared by spray drying (Tout 50 and 60C). Addition of processing aids to the yeast cream was necessary in order to dry at these temperatures. Corn starch (grits) and maltodextrins (DE‐6) two levels of additions (10 and 20%) were used as processing aids. Statistical analyses proved that processing aids concentration, air outlet temperature and rotor speed had significant effects on yeast viability. Dried samples could be preserved at least 4 months stored at 5 and 25C with a loss of 1 and 2 log cycles of viable cells, respectively.