Introduction
ε-Polylysine is a high-efficiency antimicrobial agent or preservative. It is produced from a fermentation process using Streptomyces albulus under aerobic conditions. It has obvious inhibition to gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, mould, virus. In addition, it also has excellent safety, therefore it is widely used as an antistaling agent.
Molecular Structure
ε-Polylysine is a homopolymer of L-lysine, one of the essential amino acids. It is linked by peptide bond formed with α-carboxyl of L-lysine and ε-azyl from other L-lysine. The chemical formula for ε-polylysine is shown in figure 1.
Figure1. chemical formula of ε-Polylysine
Physicochemical Property
ε-Polylysine is pale yellow powder, strong hygroscopicity, slightly bitter; Easily soluble in water and hydrochloric acid, Not in organic solvents such as alcohol, ether. It’s isoelectric point is 9.0, specific rotation [α] is ＋57.1°(c=1, H2O), [α] is ＋39.9°(c=1, 5, mol/L HCI)
Biological Property
1. Broad antibacterial spectrum: It has obvious inhibition to gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, mould, virus and many other microorganism.
2. Good thermal stability: Below high temperature（80℃-60 min、100℃-30 min and 120℃-20 min）, it does not decompose, not inactivation, suitable for cooked food.
3. Good water-solubility: good water-solubility, it can spread evenly in food, effect good ; Colorless, odorless and nature, do not affect food flavor.
4.Widely pH range: broad antibacterial spectrum, the range of pH is between 2 and 9, to supplement the weekness that most common preservative poorly effects in neutral and alkaline conditions.
5. Strong Blends: it have synergistic effect when blending with potassium sorbet, citric acid, malic acid, glycine and Nisin and senior fat crosslinker.
6. High safety: After eating, it is not accumulated inside human bodies, partly break down into essential amino acid lysine for human body, L –lysine, Non-toxic, known as the "pharmaceutical &nutrient preservatives"
7. Health function: Recent studies show that ε-Polylysine can inhibit the enzyme activity and the fat absorption in the small intestine ester, has curative effect against with obesity.
Applications
Meat
Seafood
Beverage
Bakery
Dairy
Cosmetic
Flour products
