sodium-benzoate and calcium-propionate

Some species of molds are capable of degrading sorbic acid to produce 1,3-pentadiene, a volatile compound with an unpleasant hydrocarbon-like odor. The effectiveness of reduced concentrations of sorbate, in combination with other antimycotics, to control the growth of these molds has not been described. We did a study to evaluate potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and natamycin, alone and in combination, for their effectiveness in preventing the growth of five molds isolated from Parmesan cheese and a lemon-flavored drink subjectively judged to contain 1,3-pentadiene. Growth of Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium roqueforti, Paecilomyces variotii, Aspergillus niger, and Cephaloascus fragrans on model agar media containing Parmesan cheese (PRM agar) (pH 5.5) and lemon-flavored drink (LD agar) (pH 2.6) supplemented with antimycotics was studied. All molds grew well at 21 degrees C on PRM agar containing potassium sorbate (3500microg/ml), calcium propionate (3000microg/ml), or natamycin (20microg/ml). Combinations of potassium sorbate (250-1000microg/ml), calcium propionate (250-1000microg/ml), and/or natamycin (10-18microg/ml) greatly inhibited or prevented growth of molds on PRM agar, indicating their potential as preservative systems at pH values resulting in large percentages of the acids in dissociated forms. Three of the five molds grew on LD agar containing potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate at a concentration of 200microg/ml. Growth did not occur within 70 days on LD agar containing EDTA (30microg/ml) in combination with potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate at 50 and 175microg/ml, respectively, or 175 and 50microg/ml, respectively. Results of this study show that preservative systems containing a reduced concentration of potassium sorbate, in combination with other antimycotics, particularly natamycin, have potential for controlling the growth of molds thought to be capable of producing 1,3-pentadiene.

Topics: Agar; Alkadienes; Antifungal Agents; Beverages; Cheese; Citrus; Colony Count, Microbial; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Edetic Acid; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Food Preservatives; Fungi; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Natamycin; Odorants; Pentanes; Propionates; Sodium Benzoate; Sorbic Acid; Species Specificity

Inhibition of spoilage organisms from bakery products by weak acid preservatives in concentrations of 0%, 0.003%, 0.03% and 0.3% (w/v) was investigated experimentally on a substrate media with water activity (a(w)) and pH ranging from sourdough-fermented acidic rye bread to alkaline intermediate moisture sponge cake types (a(w) 0.80-0.95, pH 4.7-7.4). Initially, rye bread conditions (a(w) 0.94-0.97 and pH 4.4-4.8) in combination with calcium propionate were investigated. Results showed that the highest concentration of propionate (0.3%) at all conditions apart from high a(w) (0.97) and high pH (4.8) totally inhibited fungal growth for a 2-week period, with the exception of Penicillium roqueforti, Penicillium commune and Eurotium rubrum. Characteristically for the major spoiler of rye bread, P. roqueforti, all three isolates tested were stimulated by propionate and the stimulation was significantly enhanced at high water activity levels. The effect of propionate on production of secondary metabolites (mycophenolic acid, rugulovasine, echinulin, flavoglaucin) was also studied, and variable or isolate dependent results were found. Subsequently, a screening experiment representing a wider range of bakery products was conducted using calcium propionate, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate. The obtained data was modelled using survival analysis to determine 'spoilage-free time' for the fungi. At the low a(w) level (0.80) only Eurotium species grew within the test period of 30 days. Higher water activity levels as well as higher pH values decreased spoilage-free times of the fungi. The preservative calcium propionate was less effective than potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.

Topics: Acids; Bread; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Food Microbiology; Food Preservation; Food Preservatives; Fungi; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Propionates; Sodium Benzoate; Sorbic Acid; Water

The hurdle technology approach was used to prevent fungal growth of common contaminants of bakery products including isolates belonging to the genera Eurotium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Several levels (0.003%, 0.03% and 0.3%) of calcium propionate, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate were assayed on a model agar system in a full-factorial experimental design in which the other factors assayed were pH (4.5, 6 and 7.5) and a(w) (0.80, 085, 0.90 and 0.95). Potassium sorbate was found to be the more suitable preservative to be used in combination with the common levels of pH and a(w) in Spanish bakery products. Sub-optimal concentrations (0.003% and sometimes 0.03%) led to an enhancement of fungal growth. None of the preservatives had a significant inhibitory effect at neutral pH.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Bread; Food Microbiology; Fungi; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Models, Biological; Odds Ratio; Penicillium; Propionates; Risk Assessment; Sodium Benzoate; Sorbic Acid; Water