ε-Polylysine hydrochloride is derived from the controlled fermentation broth of Streptomyces diastatochromogenes or Streptomyces albulus. It is obtained through ion exchange resin adsorption, desorption, and purification. Appearing as a pale yellow powder with strong hygroscopicity and a slightly bitter taste,ε-polylysine hydrochloride is a linear polymer of lysine. As a novel bio-based preservative, it has significant potential for widespread applications.
I. Mechanism and Characteristics
1. Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride exhibits strong inhibitory effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, molds, and viruses. Its wide antimicrobial spectrum effectively extends the shelf life of food products.
2. Thermal Stability
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride remains stable under high-temperature conditions (e.g., maintaining integrity at 121°C for 30 minutes). This allows it to be incorporated into heat-processed products during manufacturing.
3. Wide pH Range Adaptability
With strong antimicrobial activity across a pH range of 2 to 9, ε-polylysine hydrochloride compensates for the reduced activity of other preservatives under neutral and alkaline conditions.
4. High Safety
The acute toxicity test LD50 of ε-polylysine hydrochloride is 5 g/kg, comparable to table salt. After ingestion, it degrades into lysine, an essential nutrient, and is absorbed by the body without any toxic side effects.
II. Application Fields
1. Food Industry
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride serves as an effective preservative in a wide range of food products, including fruits, vegetables, beans, edible fungi, rice and its derivatives, wheat flour and its products, coarse grains, meat and meat products, seasonings, and beverages. Its superior preservation performance and high safety align well with the development goals of food preservatives.
2. Personal Care Products
It is widely used in personal care items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, kitchen cleaners, sanitary pads, and baby diapers. Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity enhances the quality and safety of these products.
3. Pharmaceutical Industry
Due to its cation-rich nature, ε-polylysine hydrochloride exhibits strong electrostatic interactions with anionic substances and excellent penetration into biofilms. This makes it suitable for use as a drug carrier, a cell fusion facilitator, and a synthetic antigen carrier.
III. Market and Development
1. Current Market
Japan leads the world in ε-polylysine production technology, with the most advanced applications. In addition to food processing, ε-polylysine hydrochloride is extensively used in the food service industry (e.g., for rice preservation) and other sectors.
2. Future Prospects
As awareness of food safety and health continues to grow, the demand for ε-polylysine hydrochloride, a natural, safe, and effective preservative, is expected to increase. Advances in technology and process optimization will further reduce production costs and expand its application scope.
ε-Polylysine hydrochloride, as a new-generation bio-based preservative, offers key advantages, including broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, thermal stability, adaptability across a wide pH range, and high safety. Its extensive application potential spans the food industry, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals, ensuring a promising future for this versatile preservative.