The Drip by AQUALAB – Probiotics Unpacked: Stability, Water Activity, and Innovations with Subhendu Nayak
09/17/24 • 40 min
Subhendu Nayak is the Director of Formulation (Probiotics and Herbal) at Vida Herbs. He joins The Drip to talk about the complexities of manufacturing, from blending to storage, and the crucial role of water activity in maintaining probiotic potency. We'll also explore the nuances between CFU and AFU measurements and discuss innovative yet straightforward solutions.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Water activity in probiotics
- Colony Forming Units (CFU) versus Active Fluorescent Units (AFU)
- Spore-forming, non-spore-forming, and next-generation types
- Manufacturing processes like blending, encapsulation, and packaging
- How keeping solutions uncomplicated can lead to better success and innovation
Jump to:
(03:39) How AW measures the vapor pressure ratio in foods.
(08:01) Minimize water activity to prevent probiotic die-off.
(10:12) Molecular sieves control water activity and maintain potency.
(15:20) Preferred sugar alcohols for coolness.
(17:34) Granular ingredients ensure better stick-pack sealing.
(22:54) Water activity control in oil prevents decay.
(25:39) Plate counting measures CFU per gram.
(30:20) Viable but unculturable cell health benefits questioned.
(32:41) The guest’s favorite artist and song
(35:09) Featured artist and song
(38:25) This episode’s Mantra
Featured Artist and Song:
Sometimes Somehow by Eric E.
Links mentioned in this episode:
One Dance by Drake, music was chosen by Subhendu
Connect with the show
Subhendu Nayak is the Director of Formulation (Probiotics and Herbal) at Vida Herbs. He joins The Drip to talk about the complexities of manufacturing, from blending to storage, and the crucial role of water activity in maintaining probiotic potency. We'll also explore the nuances between CFU and AFU measurements and discuss innovative yet straightforward solutions.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Water activity in probiotics
- Colony Forming Units (CFU) versus Active Fluorescent Units (AFU)
- Spore-forming, non-spore-forming, and next-generation types
- Manufacturing processes like blending, encapsulation, and packaging
- How keeping solutions uncomplicated can lead to better success and innovation
Jump to:
(03:39) How AW measures the vapor pressure ratio in foods.
(08:01) Minimize water activity to prevent probiotic die-off.
(10:12) Molecular sieves control water activity and maintain potency.
(15:20) Preferred sugar alcohols for coolness.
(17:34) Granular ingredients ensure better stick-pack sealing.
(22:54) Water activity control in oil prevents decay.
(25:39) Plate counting measures CFU per gram.
(30:20) Viable but unculturable cell health benefits questioned.
(32:41) The guest’s favorite artist and song
(35:09) Featured artist and song
(38:25) This episode’s Mantra
Featured Artist and Song:
Sometimes Somehow by Eric E.
Links mentioned in this episode:
One Dance by Drake, music was chosen by Subhendu
Connect with the show
Previous Episode
The Drip by AQUALAB: Ensuring Food Safety: Insights from Farm to Table with Marcus Washington
Marcus Washington is the co-founder of FSQA Help in Oklahoma. Marcus joins The Drip to address the challenges faced by emerging food brands, the importance of understanding regulations, and the role of consulting in maintaining compliance. He also shares his experiences managing a small farm, the science behind animal health, and his entrepreneurial journey of his own food business.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Understanding and complying with FDA and USDA regulations.
- A unique perspective on food safety from having managed a small farm
- The science behind feeding farm animals
- Why local state regulations can be a lifeline for startups
- How to better integrate preharvest food safety knowledge
Jump to:
(05:48) Navigating food classification regulations.
(07:40) Why is ensuring animal safety vital for food safety?
(13:36) Key lessons from Grad school farm visits.
(14:53) Promote food safety through farm relationships and volunteering.
(20:13 Decision-making is like playing poker in life.
(18:58) The guest’s favorite artist and song
(23:24) Featured artist and song
(24:22) This episode’s Mantra
Featured Artist and Song:
NRG by PiCO THE GUYO
Links mentioned in this episode:
Pink Friday 2 by Nicki Minaj, music was chosen by Marcus Washington
Connect with the show
Next Episode
The Drip by AQUALAB: Mario Gonzalez and High Pressure Food Processing
Mario Gonzalez Angulo is the HPP Food Applications Manager at Hiperbaric High Pressure Technologies. Curious about how your guacamole stays fresh? High Pressure Processing (HPP) is a non-thermal food preservation method that harnesses oceanic-level pressures to inactivate foodborne pathogens and extend the shelf life of various products... all while preserving their nutritional and sensory qualities. We’ll explore the history, application, and potential of this revolutionary technology, as well as its effects on the molecular level.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- The journey of HPP from its first mention in 1899
- What food products are benefiting from HPP – from guacamole to baby food
- Why water activity needs to be between 0.97 and 1 for optimal HPP effectiveness
- How the method keeps your food pathogen-free AND flavorful
- How the applications of HPP extend beyond food
Jump to:
(04:43) pH and water activity determine microbial inactivation.
(06:54) How pressure affects weak bonds, not strong covalent bonds.
(12:50) Why clostridium botulinum struggles to grow in coconut water.
(16:54) The guest’s favorite artist and song
(20:30) Featured artist and song
(22:31) This episode’s Mantra
Featured Artist and Song:
Cheshmhaye Tameshki by Marjan Farsad, sung by Roodabeh Derakhshanian
Links mentioned in this episode:
Hiperbaric High Pressure Technologies
The Scientist by Coldplay, music was chosen by Mario Gonzalez Angulo
Connect with the show
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