Impact of trehalose-based cryoprotectant on immobilization and release of Lactobacillus plantarum obtained for wound dressing

Lactobacillus plantarum has been increasingly studied and applied in the context of wound healing and wound dressings, thanks to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and biofilm disruption properties. In some approaches, lyophilized (freeze-dried) L. plantarum is applied as a powder or mixed with a carrier to facilitate topical delivery. Lactobacillus plantarum was diluted in 10 % trehalose and a mixture of 5 % trehalose and skim milk. The mixtures were aseptically added on top of AC pads, frozen at −80 °C, and freeze-dried for 5 h. Immobilized probiotics on AC pads were incubated in normal saline at 37 °C for 24 h. Immobilization efficiency after lyophilization and the release of probiotics from the pad after 10 and 180 minutes, as well as after 24 hours were determined. The combination of trehalose and skim milk showed significantly better results, maintaining almost 80 % viability after 24 h, Trehalose alone preserved almost half as many probiotics compared to trehalose with milk. Since the controlled release of probiotics is essential for their antimicrobial effectiveness in wound dressings, it can be concluded that the AC pad containing probiotics protected with both trehalose and skim milk is a more effective option than the probiotics protected with trehalose alone.