Preservation of functionality of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis INL1 after incorporation of freeze-dried cells into different food matrices

► Sensitivity of bifidobacteria to gastric digestion depended on the cryoprotector. ► Sensitivity of bifidobacteria to gastric digestion depended on pH at harvesting. ► Sensitivity of bifidobacteria to gastric digestion depended on the food matrix. ► Bifidobacteria can be sensitive to technological variables with no changes in counts.