Supplementary file 1_Storage temperature as a determinant of probiotic long-term stability in commercial dietary supplements.zip

Taxon-specific patterns did not allow an unequivocal ranking of refrigeration versus freezing. Survival among bifidobacteria was strongly taxon-dependent, with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis exhibiting markedly higher technological robustness than other bifidobacterial taxa. Compliance with label-declared counts declined toward the end of minimum durability, and some products failed to meet declared values irrespective of storage regime, indicating formulation-intrinsic instability.

Moreover, inconsistencies in taxonomic nomenclature and limited strain-level labeling were observed across all products.</p>Conclusion<p>Overall, our findings show that cold storage conditions, specifically refrigeration and freezing, most effectively preserve probiotic viability over time. These results underscore the importance of aligning formulation strategies, including strain selection, excipient composition, and encapsulation, with intended storage conditions to ensure sustained viability and consistent product quality throughout shelf life.</p>