Market Uses of Natamycin in Food

In the food industry, extending the shelf life of perishable products is an ongoing challenge. Mold and yeast growth are common culprits that reduce the quality and longevity of foods like bakery items, meat products, dairy, and even fermented goods. One highly effective solution to combat this issue is Natamycin, a natural antimicrobial peptide widely used as a preservative. This blog explores the various applications of Natamycin in food products to prevent mold growth and enhance their shelf life.

1. Natamycin's Application in Baked Goods

Baked items such as mooncakes, cakes, and pastries are highly susceptible to mold growth, especially when stored at room temperature. Natamycin, when used as a surface spray, has proven to significantly extend the shelf life of these products.

Examples:

Mooncakes: Spraying a 0.4-0.6g/kg Natamycin suspension on mooncakes helps prevent mold for over three months. For optimal results, ensure that the salted duck egg yolks are baked to 70-80% of their final doneness before spraying.

Cakes and Pastries: A 0.2-0.6g/kg Natamycin solution can be sprayed directly onto the surface of cakes and pastries to prevent mold formation, helping these products remain fresh for an extended period.

With Natamycin, bakery products can stay mold-free for a longer time, offering manufacturers an efficient solution to improve the shelf life of their baked goods.

2. Application of Natamycin in Meat Products

In the field of meat products, especially fermented meat products, the growth of molds and yeasts is the main cause of product spoilage. By applying Natamycin preservatives during the production process, manufacturers can prevent microbial contamination and enhance product longevity.

Using a 0.2g/kg Natamycin suspension to soak or spray meat products achieves an effective and safe preservative level of 8μg/cm². For sausages, Natamycin can be added at several stages: before fermentation, during casing immersion, after stuffing, or as a surface spray on the stuffed sausages.

Practical examples of its application in fermented meat products are as follows:

Cured and Dried Meats: During curing, add 0.2-0.5g/kg of Natamycin to the curing agent. Alternatively, spray a 0.2-0.5g/kg Natamycin solution before drying.

Sausages: Soak or spray the stuffed sausages with a 0.5-1.0g/kg Natamycin preservative suspension.

3. Natamycin Application in Cheese Products

The growth of mold on the surface of cheese is a major factor affecting its shelf life. Natamycin, when applied to the cheese rind, effectively prevents mold formation. Importantly, Natamycin does not affect bacteria, so it does not interfere with the ripening of cheese or cheese products. Surface treatment is commonly used, which can be done by spraying, coating, soaking, or adding it to a plastic coating, which is then applied to the cheese.

Example applications include:

(1)Soaking or Spraying: Natamycin solution at a concentration of 0.2-0.5g/kg can be used to soak or spray the surface of hard cheese products.

(2)With Salt Solution: Add 10% salt to a 0.2-0.5g/kg Natamycin solution, and then soak or spray it on the surface of the cheese.

(3) Coating: In the outer coating suspension of cheese, add 0.15-0.3g/kg Natamycin. Once the cheese matures, the coating can be removed directly.

4. Other Food Products Using Natamycin

Beyond bakery, meat, and dairy products, Natamycin has proven useful in extending the shelf life of a variety of other foods, including rice cakes, kimchi, and fruit wines. In these cases, Natamycin acts as a mold and yeast inhibitor, ensuring that these products stay fresh for longer.

Examples:

Rice Cakes & Kimchi: Natamycin preservative can be used to prevent mold growth on rice cakes and kimchi, helping them retain their freshness.

Fruit Wine: By adding 2.5mg/kg of Natamycin to fruit wine, manufacturers can significantly extend the product's shelf life, preventing mold and yeast contamination.

Natamycin's ability to preserve a wide range of food products showcases its versatility as a preservative that meets the needs of both traditional and modern food processing.

5. Conclusion

From bakery items and meats to cheeses and other fermented foods, Natamycin preservative helps prevent mold and yeast growth, ensuring that these products remain fresh for extended periods. By offering a safe, non-toxic solution for food preservation, Natamycin is quickly becoming an essential tool for food manufacturers looking to improve the quality and longevity of their products. Contact CHEMSINO for food preservatives, free samples, and the best bulk prices to support your business.