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Nisin, as a natural, efficient, and safe food preservative, possesses various application characteristics.
1. Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity
Nisin exhibits strong inhibitory effects against most Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus. It is also effective against spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus and Clostridium species. This broad-spectrum antibacterial activity gives nisin significant value in food preservation.
2. High Efficiency and Safety
After ingestion, nisin quickly hydrolyzes into amino acids under the physiological pH conditions and the action of gastric proteases in the human body. It does not alter the normal gut microbiota and does not produce resistance issues commonly associated with other antibiotics. Additionally, it does not exhibit cross-resistance with other antibiotics, making it a highly efficient, non-toxic, safe, and side-effect-free natural food preservative.
3. Thermal Stability and Acid Resistance
Nisin demonstrates good thermal stability under appropriate pH and temperature conditions. In acidic conditions (e.g., at pH 2-3), it shows excellent heat resistance, capable of withstanding high-temperature treatments (e.g., 121°C for 15 minutes). This thermal stability allows nisin to maintain its antibacterial effectiveness during food processing. Moreover, it exhibits acid resistance, effectively serving as a preservative in acidic foods.
4. Wide Range of Applications
Nisin has been widely used across various food sectors, including dairy products, meat products, canned goods, fish products, and alcoholic beverages. In dairy products, it is commonly used for preserving pasteurized milk, skimmed milk, sweetened condensed milk, ultra-high-temperature processed milk, flavored milk, canned milk products, cream products, and reconstituted milk powder. In meat products, nisin can inhibit harmful microorganisms like Clostridium botulinum, enhancing the safety and quality of meat products. It is also used in soy sauce, fruit juice, and beer for preservation.
5. Economic Benefits
The use of nisin can significantly reduce the spoilage rate of food and minimize food waste, resulting in substantial economic benefits. Additionally, due to its natural composition and safety, consumer acceptance of food products containing nisin is high, enhancing the market competitiveness of these products.
6. Biomedical Application Potential
Beyond the food sector, nisin also shows potential applications in biomedicine. Research indicates that nisin can inhibit the growth of resistant strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus, and Clostridium difficile. Moreover, nisin has antibiofilm properties and can synergistically enhance the efficacy of conventional treatments. Similar to host defense peptides, nisin can activate adaptive immune responses and has immunomodulatory effects. Increasing evidence suggests that nisin can influence tumor growth and exhibit selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, thereby beginning to show potential in cancer treatment.
Nisin's broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, high efficiency and safety, thermal stability and acid resistance, extensive applications, and potential in biomedicine contribute to its promising prospects in both the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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