Natamycin Wholesalers,Used in combination with potassium sorbate

When natamycin and potassium sorbate are used in combination, the following aspects need to be noted:

I. Scope of Use and Dosage

Comply with regulatory requirements: In China, there are clear national standards specifying the scope of use and maximum usage amounts of natamycin and potassium sorbate. For example, when used in foods such as pastries and mooncakes, the maximum usage amount of natamycin is 0.3 g/kg; the usage amounts of potassium sorbate in different foods are also strictly limited. For instance, in carbonated beverages, the maximum usage amount is 0.6 g/kg. When using them in combination, these regulations must be strictly followed, and there should be no use beyond the specified scope or dosage to ensure food safety.

Consider the synergistic effect: There may be a synergistic effect when the two are used in combination. Therefore, the actual usage amount may be lower than that when used alone. A preliminary experiment can be carried out to determine the appropriate dosage combination that can achieve a good anti-corrosion effect in a specific product, ensuring both effective inhibition of microbial growth and avoiding excessive use.

II. Order and Method of Addition

Solubility characteristics: Natamycin is insoluble in water and usually needs to be dissolved in an appropriate amount of solvents such as ethanol first before being added to the product; potassium sorbate is easily soluble in water and can be directly prepared into an aqueous solution for addition.

Order of addition: Generally, add the aqueous solution of potassium sorbate first, stir evenly, then add the dissolved natamycin solution, and continue to stir evenly to make the two evenly distributed in the product, so as to fully exert their synergistic anti-corrosion effect.

III. pH Value of the Product

Influence of pH value: The anti-corrosion effect of potassium sorbate is better under acidic conditions, and it generally has the best effect when the pH value is between 3.0 and 6.5; the activity of natamycin is also affected by the pH value, and it is relatively stable and has good antibacterial activity within the pH range of 4 to 8. Therefore, when used in combination, the pH value of the product needs to be controlled within an appropriate range to ensure that both can play a better role.

Adjust the pH value: If the initial pH value of the product does not meet the requirements, appropriate acid-base regulators can be used for adjustment. However, attention should be paid to the type and dosage of the regulators to avoid adverse effects on the quality and taste of the product.

IV. Compatibility with Other Ingredients

Food ingredients: Some ingredients in food, such as proteins, fats, and polysaccharides, may interact with natamycin or potassium sorbate, affecting their anti-corrosion effects. For example, a high fat content may adsorb natamycin, reducing its concentration in the aqueous phase and thus affecting its antibacterial activity. Therefore, when using them in combination, the influence of other ingredients in the product on them needs to be considered, and appropriate adjustments should be made if necessary.

Other additives: If other additives such as preservatives, antioxidants, and emulsifiers are also added to the product, attention should be paid to their compatibility with natamycin and potassium sorbate. Some additives may react chemically with them, reducing the anti-corrosion effect or causing adverse side reactions. For example, certain antioxidants may undergo a redox reaction with potassium sorbate, affecting its stability and anti-corrosion performance. In such cases, an appropriate combination of additives needs to be selected, and their compatibility should be verified through experiments.

V. Monitoring and Control

Microbial detection: During the process of using natamycin and potassium sorbate in combination for anti-corrosion, the product needs to be regularly tested for microorganisms, including the detection of indicators such as the total number of colonies, molds, and yeasts, to evaluate the anti-corrosion effect. If the microbial content exceeds the standard or the anti-corrosion effect is not good, the reasons need to be analyzed in a timely manner, and the usage dosage or method should be adjusted.

Quality control: A strict quality control system should be established to strictly control the quality of raw materials, the operation specifications during the production process, and the final quality of the product, ensuring that the contents of natamycin and potassium sorbate in the product are accurate and stable, and the product quality meets the relevant standards and requirements.