Evaluation of the efficacy of four weak acids as antifungal preservatives in low-acid intermediate moisture model food systems

Food Microbiology
Yang HuangAilsa D Hocking

Abstract

The potential efficacy of four weak acids as preservatives in low-acid intermediate moisture foods was assessed using a glycerol based agar medium. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC, % wt./wt.) of each acid was determined at two pH values (pH 5.0, pH 6.0) and two a(w) values (0.85, 0.90) for five food spoilage fungi, Eurotium herbariorum, Eurotium rubrum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium roqueforti. Sorbic acid, a preservative commonly used to control fungal growth in low-acid intermediate moisture foods, was included as a reference. The MIC values of the four acids were lower at pH 5.0 than pH 6.0 at equivalent a(w) values, and lower at 0.85 a(w) than 0.90 a(w) at equivalent pH values. By comparison with the MIC values of sorbic acid, those of caprylic acid and dehydroacetic acid were generally lower, whereas those for caproic acid were generally higher. No general observation could be made in the case of capric acid. The antifungal activities of all five weak acids appeared related not only to the undissociated form, but also the dissociated form, of each acid.

References

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Citations

Mar 8, 2012·Food Additives & Contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure & Risk Assessment·Yumei ZhangWeibo Cui
Aug 10, 2017·Microorganisms·Lucille GarnierJérôme Mounier
Apr 19, 2019·Journal of Food Science and Technology·Mariana GondaSilvana Vero
Jan 28, 2014·Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·Mingkai CaoScott A Rankin

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