Nisin is typically added to beverages in powder form, which ranges from white to light yellow in color and is easy to mix and disperse during the beverage production process.
Nisin is a natural, non-toxic, and safe food preservative. In the human body, under physiological pH conditions and the action of α-chymotrypsin, it quickly hydrolyzes into amino acids, posing no harmful effects. Unlike other antibiotics, nisin does not cause resistance issues or cross-resistance with other antibiotics, making it safe for use in beverages without concerns about potential threats to human health.
Nisin effectively inhibits many Gram-positive bacteria that cause beverage spoilage, such as Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, and Staphylococcus, which can easily proliferate during beverage production and storage, leading to spoilage. Its addition can significantly extend the shelf life of beverages. Especially for spore-forming bacteria like Bacillus and Clostridium, nisin has a strong inhibitory effect. These bacteria typically have high heat resistance, making them difficult to eliminate completely through conventional heat treatments. Nisin can effectively inhibit their growth even at lower concentrations.
The addition of nisin does not adversely affect the color, aroma, flavor, or taste of the beverage. On the contrary, it helps maintain the original quality of the beverage, keeping it fresh and delicious over an extended storage period.
By lowering the sterilization temperature and shortening the sterilization time, nisin can also reduce the loss of nutrients in beverages, thus enhancing their nutritional value.
Nisin, applied in powdered form in beverages, primarily acts as a preservative, ensuring the safety and quality of the beverage. Its appropriate addition during the production process can significantly extend the shelf life of the beverage and improve the product's market competitiveness.