The application of nisin in the preservation of agricultural products is gaining increasing attention, primarily due to its excellent performance as a natural, safe, and effective biopreservative. After harvesting, agricultural products, which are rich in nutrients and contain a large amount of water, are highly susceptible to microbial contamination, leading to spoilage and degradation. This not only reduces the commercial value of the products but also shortens their shelf life, creating challenges in transportation and sales. Therefore, effectively extending the shelf life of agricultural products while maintaining their freshness and quality has become a key research topic in the field of agricultural preservation. Nisin, due to its good antibacterial effects and safety, has become an important choice for the preservation of agricultural products.
Nisin primarily works by forming pores in the cell membranes of sensitive bacteria, causing the leakage of small molecules from the cell, leading to cell autolysis and death. Additionally, it may inhibit microbial growth by altering cell pH or suppressing gene expression. These mechanisms collectively make it highly effective against various Gram-positive bacteria.
Nisin is widely used in the preservation of perishable fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, cherries, and cantaloupes. By treating the surfaces of these fruits and vegetables through spraying, dipping, or coating, nisin can significantly reduce the number of microorganisms on the surface, extend their shelf life, and maintain their color, taste, and nutritional value. For fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, where mechanical damage during processing increases the risk of microbial contamination, the application of nisin is particularly important. It effectively inhibits microbial growth on the surface of fresh-cut produce, thereby extending its shelf life.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, nisin can also be used to preserve other agricultural products. For example, in the storage of grains and legumes, nisin can inhibit the growth of molds and bacteria, preventing spoilage and degradation. In edible fungi and other agricultural products, nisin also shows potential, as it can maintain freshness and taste by inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms, thereby extending shelf life.
As a natural biopreservative, nisin is non-toxic, harmless to the human body, and leaves no residues, making its application in agricultural product preservation safer and more reliable. Nisin has a strong inhibitory effect on a variety of Gram-positive bacteria, especially on bacterial spores, which allows it to play a crucial role in the preservation of agricultural products.
Nisin can be used not only for preserving fruits and vegetables but also for a wide range of other agricultural products, giving it broad development prospects in the field of agricultural preservation. As a biopreservative, its use aligns with the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development. Unlike chemical preservatives, it does not pose environmental pollution or hazards.
Nisin holds significant application value in the preservation of agricultural products. With the continuous increase in consumer demand for food safety and quality, as well as growing environmental awareness, the application prospects for natural biopreservatives like nisin are expected to expand further.