A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 1×10.sup.10 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after one month at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 1×10.sup.10 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after one month at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

The present invention relates to an additive to poultry feed including nitrates, nitrites or their mixtures that reduces the incidence of pectoral myopathy in poultry, for example, wooden breast myopathy in broiler chickens. In one aspect, a method for reducing the incidence of pectoral myopathy in poultry is disclosed. The method includes feeding poultry a feed having one or more nitrates, one or more nitrites, or a mixture thereof, wherein the amount of nitrates and/or nitrites in the feed is 3 g to 2,500 g per ton of feed.

The present invention relates to an additive to poultry feed including nitrates, nitrites or their mixtures that reduces the incidence of pectoral myopathy in poultry, for example, wooden breast myopathy in broiler chickens. In one aspect, a method for reducing the incidence of pectoral myopathy in poultry is disclosed. The method includes feeding poultry a feed having one or more nitrates, one or more nitrites, or a mixture thereof, wherein the amount of nitrates and/or nitrites in the feed is 3 g to 2,500 g per ton of feed.

Oral formulations for promoting eye health, and in particular for preventing or treating macular degeneration, are disclosed, containing zeaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, and at least two or more additional ocular-active nutrients selected from lipoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, plant-derived compounds such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, or polyphenolics, taurine, carnitine, Coenzyme-Q10, carnosine, and nutrients that stimulate the production of glutathione. Processes are disclosed for identifying ocular-active nutrients that will interact in a synergistic and potentiating manner with zeaxanthin, to provide better and more effective protection, for eye health, than can be provided by zeaxanthin alone. Additional optional agents include zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

Oral formulations for promoting eye health, and in particular for preventing or treating macular degeneration, are disclosed, containing zeaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, and at least two or more additional ocular-active nutrients selected from lipoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, plant-derived compounds such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, or polyphenolics, taurine, carnitine, Coenzyme-Q10, carnosine, and nutrients that stimulate the production of glutathione. Processes are disclosed for identifying ocular-active nutrients that will interact in a synergistic and potentiating manner with zeaxanthin, to provide better and more effective protection, for eye health, than can be provided by zeaxanthin alone. Additional optional agents include zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 110.sup.10 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 3 months at a temperature of 40 C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 110.sup.10 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 3 months at a temperature of 40 C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

The present specification discloses a composition for external application to skin, containing a tea plant root extract as an active ingredient, for treatment of skin damage caused by fine dust, whereby the expression level of one or more selected from a group consisting of IL-36G (NM_019618), S100A7 (NM_002963), S100A8 (NM_002964) and XDH (NM_000379), which are genes in skin cells the expression level of which is affected by fine dust, is regulated to a normal level.

The present specification discloses a composition for external application to skin, containing a tea plant root extract as an active ingredient, for treatment of skin damage caused by fine dust, whereby the expression level of one or more selected from a group consisting of IL-36G (NM_019618), S100A7 (NM_002963), S100A8 (NM_002964) and XDH (NM_000379), which are genes in skin cells the expression level of which is affected by fine dust, is regulated to a normal level.