Introduction
Probiotics, defined as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health be- nefit on the host,” are popular for their digestive benefits in the human health science industry. Numerous in vitro studies indicate the promising potential of probiotics for humans, as well as animals. Although in vivo studies in companion animals have been more difficult to prove [1], several publications illustrate the intestinal health bene- fits of probiotics for animals, especially dogs (Tab. 1). These in vivo studies focused particularly on Enterococcus and/or Lactobacillus for cats and dogs and Saccharomyces for horses. Normally, probiotics are filled into capsules; however, capsules are expensive to produce and usually have a high content of gelatin, putting the probiotic stability at risk. Additionally, when administering probiotics to animals, it is important to note that capsules have a neutral flavor, giving animals no positive incentive to ingest them. Because dogs and cats are prone to chewing capsules, the filling has the potential to be released from the capsule, necessitating a careful control on its palatability. An alternative to capsules, mixing dry probiotic powder into feed via sachets, requires an immediate and complete ingestion of the food to avoid irreversible damage to the microbial cells by exposure to moisture and oxygen. These factors make it worth considering direct compression of probiotics into tablets. It is important to note that the compression of live microorganisms can lead to their destruction due to heat and pressure sensitivity. This destruction can be avoided, however, by using high functionality excipients, such as silicified microcrystalline cellulose.
Probiotics, defined as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health be- nefit on the host,” are popular for their digestive benefits in the human health science industry. Numerous in vitro studies indicate the promising potential of probiotics for humans, as well as animals. Although in vivo studies in companion animals have been more difficult to prove [1], several publications illustrate the intestinal health bene- fits of probiotics for animals, especially dogs (Tab. 1). These in vivo studies focused particularly on Enterococcus and/or Lactobacillus for cats and dogs and Saccharomyces for horses. Normally, probiotics are filled into capsules; however, capsules are expensive to produce and usually have a high content of gelatin, putting the probiotic stability at risk. Additionally, when administering probiotics to animals, it is important to note that capsules have a neutral flavor, giving animals no positive incentive to ingest them. Because dogs and cats are prone to chewing capsules, the filling has the potential to be released from the capsule, necessitating a careful control on its palatability. An alternative to capsules, mixing dry probiotic powder into feed via sachets, requires an immediate and complete ingestion of the food to avoid irreversible damage to the microbial cells by exposure to moisture and oxygen. These factors make it worth considering direct compression of probiotics into tablets. It is important to note that the compression of live microorganisms can lead to their destruction due to heat and pressure sensitivity. This destruction can be avoided, however, by using high functionality excipients, such as silicified microcrystalline cellulose.