Anti-listeria compositions for use in food products
AssigneeKraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
InventorsKaiser Rajinder Nauth, Zuoxing Zheng
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Abstract
Improved antimicrobial compositions are provided. The improved antimicrobial compositions of this invention contain a dairy-allergen-free nisin derived from whey, pediocin, an edible organic acid (e.g., lactic acid), and a phenol-based antioxidant (e.g., tertiary butylhydroquinone). Such improved antimicrobial compositions are useful in imparting improved antibacterial activity to food products, especially products having a relatively high water activity including cooked or uncooked meat products, cheeses, and the like.
Claims21
An aqueous antimicrobial composition comprising nisin derived from whey, pediocin, an edible organic acid, and a phenol-based antioxidant;
- wherein the composition has a nisin activity of at least about 900 IU/ml, a pediocin activity equivalent to at least about a 16 mm inhibition zone, at least about 0.5 percent of the phenol-based antioxidant, and a pH of about 3 to about 5.
A method for inhibiting microbial growth in a food product, said method comprising applying an effective amount of an antimicrobial composition to the food product and sealing the food product and the antimicrobial composition in a package, wherein the antimicrobial composition comprises nisin derived from whey, pediocin, an edible organic acid, and a phenol-based antioxidant;
- and wherein the antimicrobial composition has a nisin activity of at least about 900 IU/ml, a pediocin activity equivalent to at least about a 16 mm inhibition zone, at least about 0.5 percent of the phenol-based antioxidant, a pH of about 3 to about 5, and is essentially free of dairy allergens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.