In compound food additives, ε-polylysine hydrochloride plays multiple roles, primarily reflected in the following aspects:
1. Antimicrobial Preservation
·Broad-spectrum Antimicrobial Activity:
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride effectively inhibits Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, molds, and various other microorganisms, making it a key antimicrobial component in compound food additives. It significantly extends the shelf life of food and prevents spoilage.
·Heat Resistance:
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride does not decompose in high-temperature environments (e.g., maintaining 121°C for 30 minutes) and retains its antimicrobial activity. Therefore, it can undergo heat treatment processes with food ingredients, such as pasteurization or high-temperature cooking, without losing its preservative effects.
·Wide pH Range:
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride exhibits strong antimicrobial activity across a pH range of 2 to 9, allowing it to adapt to various acidic and alkaline food systems. This increases the applicability and stability of compound food additives.
2. Synergistic Enhancement
·Synergy with Other Additives:
In compound food additives, ε-Polylysine hydrochloride can be used in combination with other food additives (such as acetic acid, ethanol, glycine, organic acids, etc.), resulting in synergistic effects. This significantly enhances the antimicrobial effectiveness of the compound additives, reduces the amount of each individual additive required, and thus lowers costs while minimizing potential safety risks.
3. Nutritional Supplementation
·Absorption and Utilization by the Human Body:
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride can be digested and absorbed by the human body, breaking down into lysine, an essential amino acid required for human growth, development, and immune enhancement. Therefore, adding ε-Polylysine hydrochloride to compound food additives not only provides preservative effects but also offers essential nutritional supplementation.
4. Green and Eco-friendly
·Safe and Efficient:
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride has high safety, with an acute toxicity test LD50 of 5g/kg, comparable to table salt. After ingestion, it produces no toxic side effects and can be fully absorbed and utilized by the body. These safe and efficient characteristics have led to its widespread use in compound food additives.
·Green and Eco-friendly:
As a natural biological preservative, ε-Polylysine hydrochloride does not cause environmental pollution during its production and use. Its excellent antimicrobial properties and stability allow for a reduction in the use of chemical preservatives, thus lowering the negative impact on the environment.
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride serves multiple roles in compound food additives, including antimicrobial preservation, synergistic enhancement, nutritional supplementation, and environmental friendliness.