Freeze and Spray Drying Technologies to Produce Solid Microbial Formulations for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Different techniques that require specific conditions are used to increase long-term stability and facilitate the transportation of products. Solid microbial formulation gained significant attention in the scientific world for several applications due to its benefits, mainly for agriculture. The extensive applications in the agricultural area, especially in the protection as a biopesticide and in the nutrition as a biofertilizer, have expanded knowledge on the production of solid bioproducts to keep up with developments in the community. Recent scientific works have disclosed different techniques, increased yields, and optimized parameters and other related procedures to produce solid microbial formulations with quality. However, the optimal protocol for solid microbial preparations differs between species and strains. The mechanisms underlying the protection and damage during drying methods and storage are, unfortunately, not clearly understood. Therefore, the current review highlights the state of the art of freeze and spray drying, both physical methods that are applied in microorganism formulations. Additionally, the study highlights the stresses these systems are exposed to during the drying process, as well as the strategies employed to ensure their stability throughout processing and storage. In summary, the information in this review provides a theoretical basis for the selection of these relevant technologies, according to the requirements demanded to obtain a sustainable bioinput.

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