USE OF CATIONIC PRESERVATIVE IN FOOD PRODUCTS

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20080286427
  • Publication Number
    20080286427
  • Date Filed
    July 31, 2008
    16 years ago
  • Date Published
    November 20, 2008
    16 years ago
Abstract
This invention relates to a novel use of cationic preservatives and preparations according to this novel use. A cationic preservative derived from lauric acid and arginine, in particular, the ethyl ester of the lauramide of the arginine monohydrochloride, hereafter named LAE, can be used for the protection against the growth of microorganisms. The chemical structure of LAE is described in formula (I). LAE and related compounds are particularly suitable to be used in the preservation of all perishable food products. It is preferred to dissolve the compound directly before use in one of the following preferred solvents of food grade: water, ethanol, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, other glycols, mixtures of glycols and mixtures of glycols and water. If the treatment shall be performed at a specific pH value the use of a corresponding buffer solution may be recommendable. The composition optionally comprises auxiliary components and excipients. Such auxiliary components and excipients can be thickening agents (e.g. xanthan gum, guar gum, modified starches), anti-foam agents (e.g. dimethylpolysiloxane, silicon dioxide), products to obtain the optimal pH value (e.g. phosphates, tartrates, citrates, lactates), colouring agents (e.g. curcumin, tartrazine, erythrosine), and aroma products. It is preferred, that the preservative composition comprises LAE in an amount of from 0.0001% to 1% by weight relative to the whole weight of the preservative composition. It is particularly preferred to use the inventive composition for the preservation of meat products, like for instance meat, poultry products, fish, crustaceans, vegetables, greens, emulsions, sauces, confectionery, bakery, pre-cooked meals, ready-to-serve meals, dairy products, egg-based products, jams, jellies, beverages, juices, wines and beers.
Description

This invention relates to a novel use of cationic preservatives and preparations according to this novel use.


Despite the food industry must avoid the use of preservative products by means of good manufacture practices as it is described in the national and international regulations, it is often necessary to warrant the needed storage capability of the produced food-stuff but never to hide defective effects of a manipulation or manufacture technique.


A cationic preservative derived from lauric acid and arginine, in particular, the ethyl ester of the lauramide of the arginine monohydrochloride, hereafter named LAE, could be used for the protection against the growth of the microorganisms. The chemical structure is described in the following formula:







The preparation of this product has been described in Spanish patent application ES-A-512643.


Biological studies carried out at different research centres under supervision of the present applicant showed LAE to act mainly over the external and cytoplasmatic membrane of the microorganisms and, also, into the cytoplasmatic media, preventing their proliferation. Its action depends on the kind of microorganism and on the exposure time.


Besides, its metabolism in rats has been studied showing a fast absorption and metabolisation into naturally-occurring amino acids and the fatty acid lauric acid, which are eventually excreted as carbon dioxide and urea. Toxicological studies have demonstrated, that LAE is completely harmless to animals and humans.


Therefore, LAE and related compounds are particularly suitable to be used in the preservation of all perishable food products.


This compound is remarkable for its inhibitory action over the proliferation of different microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of LAE are shown in the following table 1.











TABLE 1







M.I.C.


Kind
Microorganism
(ppm)

















Gram +

Arthrobacter oxydans ATCC 8010

64


Bacteria

Bacillus cereus var mycoide ATCC 11778

32




Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633

16




Clostridium perfringens ATCC 77454

16




Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644

10




Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538

32




Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9631

128




Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp lactis CECT 372

16




Leuconostoc mesenteroides CETC 912

32


Gram −

Alcaligenes faecalis ATCC 8750

64


Bacteria

Bordetella bronchiseptica ATCC 4617

128




Citrobacter freundii ATCC 22636

64




Enterobacter aerogenes CECT 689

32




Escherichia coli ATCC 8739

32




Escherichia coli 0157H7

20




Klebsiella pneumoniae var pneumoniae CECT 178

32




Proteus mirabilis CECT 170

32




Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027

64




Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 16028

32




Serratia marcenses CECT 274

32




Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 41423

2


Fungi

Aspergillus niger ATCC14604

32




Aureobasidium pullulans ATCC 9348

16




Gliocadium virens ATCC 4645

32




Chaetonium globosum ATCC 6205

16




Penicillium chrysogenum CECT 2802

128




Penicillium funiculosum CECT 2914

16


Yeast

Candida albicans ATCC 10231

16




Rhodotorula rubra CECT 1158

16




Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763

32









The use of the invention relates to cationic preservatives derived from the condensation of fatty acids and esterified dibasic amino acids, according to the following formula:







where:


X is Br, Cl, or HSO4

R1: is a linear alkyl chain from a saturated fatty acid or hydroxyacid from 8 to 14 atoms of carbon bonded to the α-amino acid group through an amidic bond.


R2: is a linear or branched alkyl chain from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an aromatic group.


R3: is:






and n can be from 0 to 4.


The most preferred compound of the above class of compounds is LAE.


It is preferred to dissolve the compound directly before use in one of the following preferred solvents of food grade: water, ethanol, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, other glycols, mixtures of glycols and mixtures of glycols and water. If the treatment shall be performed at a specific pH value the use of a corresponding buffer solution may be recommendable.


The composition optionally comprises auxiliary components and excipients. Such auxiliary components and excipients can be thickening agents (e.g. xanthan gum, guar gum, modified starches), anti-foam agents (e.g. dimethylpolysiloxane, silicon dioxide), products to obtain the optimal pH value (e.g. phosphates, tartrates, citrates, lactates), colouring agents (e.g. curcumin, tartrazine, erythrosine), and aroma products. It is preferred, that the preservative composition comprises LAE in an amount of from 0.0001% to 1% by weight relative to the whole weight of the preservative composition.


It is particularly preferred to use the inventive composition for the preservation of meat products, like for instance meat, poultry products, fish, crustaceans, vegetables, greens, emulsions, sauces, confectionery, bakery, pre-cooked meals, ready-to-serve meals, dairy products, egg-based products, jams, jellies, beverages, juices, wines and beers.


Moreover, the intended use relates to: wine-based flavoured drinks including products; non-alcoholic flavoured drinks; liquid tea concentrates and liquid fruit and herbal infusion concentrates; Barley Water; fruit and citric juices; Capilé Groselha; grape juices, unfermented, for sacramental use; wines, alcohol-free wines, fruit wines (including alcohol-free), alcoholic drinks with fruit; made wines, fruit sparkling wines, ciders, beers and perries (including alcohol-free); fermentation vinager; sod, saft; mead; spirits with less than 15% alcohol by volume; fillings of ravioli and similar products; quince, jams, jellies, marmalades and other fruit based spreads, candied, crystallized and glacé fruit and vegetables; sugar, glucose syrup, molasses and other sugars; transformed and dried fruits and vegetables, Frugtgrod and Rote Grütze, fruit and vegetable preparations (including fruit-based sauces); vegetable flesh; shell fruits; mousse, compote; salads, fruits and similar products, canned or bottled; Mostarda Di Fruta; Mascarpone; fruit based cake fillings; fruit gelling extracts and liquid pectine; vegetables and fruits in vinegar, brine or oil; rehydrated dried fruits; dressed dried fruits; sweetcorn canned in vacuum; potato dough and pre-fried, sliced, transformed, frozen, deep-frozen and peeled potatoes; dehydrated potato flakes and granulated (?); gnocchi; polenta; olives and olive-based preparations; jelly coating of meat products (cooked, cured or dried); burger meat; heat-treated meat products, sausages, breakfast sausages, pickled porks, pates, Foie Gras, Foie Gras Entier, Blocs de Foie Gras; Sagu; Mehu and Makeutettu; Ostkaka; Pasha; Semmelknodelteig; Polsebrod and bollery Dansk; canned Flutes; gelatine; collagen based covers with a water activity of more than 0.6; salted meats, cured placenta, dried meat products; semi-preserved fish products including fish roe products, pickling, salted, dried fish, shrimps, cooked, Crangon crangon and Crangon vulgaris cooked; fresh, cooked, frozen and deep-frozen crustacean; cheese, pre-packed, sliced, unripened and cured cheese, processed cheese, layered cheese and cheese with added foodstuffs; superficial treatment of cheese, fruits and vegetables; cheese substitute, meat substitute, fish substitute, crustacean substitute; non-heat-treated dairy-based desserts, curdled milk, semolina and tapioca based desserts; liquid egg (white, yolk or whole egg), dehydrated, concentrated, frozen and deep-frozen egg products; pre-packed and sliced bread and rye-bread; partially baked, pre-packed bakery wares intended for retail sale, fine bakery wares with a water activity of more than 0.65; low-energetic bread; dry-biscuits; cereal- or potato-based snacks and coated nuts; batters, confectionery, glucose syrup based confectionery, flour based confectionery with a water activity of more than 0.65, chewing gum; Christmas pudding, nougats and marzipans; clotted cream; toppings (syrups for pancakes, flavoured syrups for milkshakes and ice cream, similar products), fat emulsions, dressing salads, emulsified sauces, non-emulsified sauces; prepared salads, mustard, seasonings and condiments; liquid soups and broths; aspic, liquid dietary food supplements; pearl barley; dietetic foods intended for special medical purposes and starches; dietetic formulae for weight control intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal; and other food products where the use of preservatives became necessary and allowed by law.


The cationic preservative may be added to a final stage of the product to be preserved or it may be added to a initial stage which would have the advantage of treating the food product, whereby it may be added as dry product to the product to be preserved, or in the form of a solution or dispersion.


The food products according to the invention are prepared according to the techniques which are well known to a person skilled in the art.


Procedures to Determine the Microbiological Population and Preservative Effect


The determination of the microbiological population is carried out according to the ISO standards.


The samples are treated by dilution in buffer peptone with the appropriate neutralising agent of the preservative. The culture media used for counting the microorganisms are: Soya triptone agar (32-35° C., 48 hours) for the determination of mesophilic bacteria; Sabouraud agar with chloramfenicol (25° C., 3-5 days) for fungi and yeast; Violet red bile glucose agar (32-35° C., 24 hours) for enterobacteria; Soya triptone agar (17° C., 5 days) for psychrotrophic bacteria.







EXAMPLES

Different examples of food products and formulations are shown where the product has been assayed. These examples are a part of the preparations and formulations assayed.


Example 1

This example shows the use of LAE in semi-preserved codfish in oil (table 2). The sample LAE was added to the oil assayed at a concentration of 100 ppm and its microbiological evolution at 4° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 2









Time (days)











0
14
43









Microorganism














Aerobe
Mould &
Aerobe
Mould &
Aerobe
Mould &



Bacteria
yeast
Bacteria
yeast
Bacteria
yeast


















Sample
Control (cfu/g)
3.4 · 103
4.0 · 102
3.8 · 105
2.0 · 104
2.7 · 108
1.2 · 107



With LAE (cfu/g)
7.6 · 103
3.0 · 102
1.0 · 104
5.4 · 103
8.5 · 104
8.2 · 103









Example 2

This example shows the use of LAE in a chicken product (table 3). The sample LAE was added to at a concentration of 150 ppm and the evolution of aerobe and psychrotrophic bacteria at 10° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 3









Time (days)











0
14
43









Microorganism














Aerobe
Psychro.
Aerobe
Psychro.
Aerobe
Psychro.



Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria


















Sample
Control (cfu/g)
3.1 · 105
2.4 · 104
9.8 · 105
6.5 · 105
7.5 · 108
4.2 · 108



With LAE (cfu/g)
1.2 · 105
3.0 · 104
4.2 · 105
7.1 · 104
6.1 · 105
6.8 · 104









Example 3

This example shows the use of LAE in a carbonated orange beverage (table 4). The sample LAE was added to at a concentration of 100 ppm and its microbiological evolution at 17° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 4









Time (days)










0
14









Microorganism












Aerobe
Mould &
Aerobe
Mould &



Bacteria
yeast
Bacteria
yeast
















Sample
Control
4.0 · 102
<10
6.5 · 104
1.7 · 103



(cfu/g)



With LAE
4.3 · 102
<10
1.0 · 102
<10



(cfu/g)









Example 4

This example shows the use of LAE in a blackberry juice (table 5). The sample LAE was added to at a concentration of 60 ppm and its microbiological evolution at 34° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 5









Time (days)










0
14









Microorganism












Aerobe
Mould &
Aerobe
Mould &



Bacteria
yeast
Bacteria
yeast
















Sample
Control
5.1 · 102
<10
2.5 · 105
3.7 · 104



(cfu/g)



With LAE
4.0 · 102
<10
2.4 · 103
<10



(cfu/g)









Example 5

This example shows the use of LAE in custard (table 6). The sample LAE was added to at a concentration of 100 ppm and its microbiological evolution at 25° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 6









Time (days)










0
5









Microorganism












Aerobe
Anaerobe
Aerobe
Anaerobe



Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria
















Sample
Control (cfu/g)
<10
<10
9.1 · 107
3.4 · 107



With LAE (cfu/g)
<10
<10
1.1 · 103
4.1 · 102









Example 6

This example shows the use of LAE in fairy cakes (table 7). The sample LAE was added to at a concentration of 80 ppm and its microbiological evolution at 25° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 7









Time (months)










0
3









Microorganism












Aerobe
Mould &
Aerobe
Mould &



Bacteria
yeast
Bacteria
yeast
















Sample
Control (cfu/g)
<10
<10
9.1 · 104
3.4 · 103



With LAE (cfu/g)
<10
<10
1.1 · 102
<10









Example 7

This example shows the use of LAE in veal stew (table 8). The sample LAE was added to at a concentration of 100 ppm and its microbiological evolution at 10° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 8









Time (days)










0
14









Microorganism














Aerobe
Mould &
Entero-
Aerobe
Mould &
Entero-



Bacteria
yeast
bacteria
Bacteria
yeast
bacteria


















Sample
Control (cfu/g)
<10
<10
<10
9.1 · 104
3.4 · 103
1.1 · 102



With LAE (cfu/g)
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10









Example 8

This example shows the use of LAE in ketchup (table 9). The sample LAE was added to at a concentration of 100 ppm and its microbiological evolution at 25° C. was compared against a control.











TABLE 9









Time (days)










0
14









Microorganism














Aerobe
Mould &
Entero-
Aerobe
Mould &
Entero-



Bacteria
yeast
bacteria
Bacteria
yeast
bacteria


















Sample
Control (cfu/g)
<10
<10
<10
1.2 · 106
4.3 · 102
1.4 · 103



With LAE (cfu/g)
<10
<10
<10
2.2 · 103
1.4 · 101
<10








Claims
  • 1-14. (canceled)
  • 15. A food product containing a cationic preservative which is the ethyl ester of lauramide of arginine hydrochloride having the following formula:
  • 16. The food product of claim 15 wherein the food product comprises fish, crustaceans, fish substitutes or crustacean substitutes.
  • 17. The food product of claim 15 wherein the food product comprises meat, meat substitutes or poultry products.
  • 18. The food product of claim 15 wherein the food product comprises vegetables, greens, sauces or emulsions.
  • 19. The food product of claim 15 wherein the food product comprises beverages, juices, wines or beers.
  • 20. The food product of claim 15 wherein the food product comprises dairy, egg-based, jam, jelly, bakery or confectionery products.
  • 21. The food product of claim 15 wherein the food product comprises pre-cooked meal or ready-to-serve meal products.
  • 22. A method of preservation of a food product comprising the step of adding a cationic preservative which is the ethyl ester of lauramide or arginine hydrochloride having the following formula:
  • 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the food product comprises fish, crustaceans, fish substitutes or crustacean substitutes.
  • 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the food product comprises meat, meat substitutes or poultry products.
  • 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the food product comprises vegetables, greens, sauces or emulsions.
  • 26. The method of claim 22 wherein the food product comprises beverages, juices, wines or beers.
  • 27. The method of claim 22 wherein the food product comprises dairy, egg-based, jam, jelly, bakery or confectionery products.
  • 28. The method of claim 22 wherein the food product comprises pre-cooked meal or ready-to-serve meal products.
  • 29. A method of preservation of food products, wherein a cationic preservative which is the ethyl ester of lauramide of arginine hydrochloride having the following formula:
  • 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the cationic preservative is applied by spraying.
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 10493783 Apr 2004 US
Child 12183524 US