What is Epsilon Poly L Lysine?

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is a natural food preservative and high-efficiency antimicrobial agent manufactured from a fermentation process using Streptomyces albulus under aerobic conditions. Epsilon poly l lysine (ε-Polylysine) is widely used as food preservative. It can inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, moulds, bacteria and ect.

ε-Polylysine is also called Epsilon Polylysine, ε-Poly-L-lysine, ε Poly L Lysine, ε-PL, Natural antimicrobial preservative.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine structure

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (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 Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) as follows:

Epsilon Poly L Lysine molecular weight

3200~4500 g/mol (degree of polymerization = 25~35). Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is a naturally produced, cationic homopolymer of 25-35 L-lysine（due to Streptomyces albulus fermentation.), which was connected by ε-amido bond compounded by a ε-amido of l-lysine and a a-carboxyl of another l-lysine.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine synthesis

α-Polylysine is a synthetic polymer, Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) fermentated from a fermentation process using Streptomyces albulus under aerobic conditions.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine solution

Usually pure Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is dissolved to 5-10% Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) solution with cold boiled water or distilled water, then put it into the food and mix fully when in use.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is hygroscopic, light yellow power. It is soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in organic solvent such as ethyl acetate, ether, ect.. The molecular of Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is a straight chain polymer of lysine. It can decompose to lysine in human body, and can be completely digested to absorption by the human body. It doesn’t have any poisonous side effects and can be regarded as the source of amino acid lyisine.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) can inhibit the growth of Gram(+) and Gram(-) bacteria , yeast, mould, virus and ect, especially inhibit the Gram(-) bacteria which can’t be easily inhibited by other preservatives, such as E.coli, Salmonella, and also can inhibit the thermophilics, such as B,stearothermophilus. Its activity is not affected by PH, and stable when heated (120℃ for 20min). Therefore, it can be sterilized along with the raw material. Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is a food preservative which is highly efficient, safe, and has no side-effects.

Physicochemical Property

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is a a linear polymer of lysine, it is a light yellow powder and is hygroscopic with a slightly bitter taste. The antibacterial activity is not affected by the pH value and stable to heat (120 ℃, 20min), and can inhibit the heat-resistant bacteria. As this result it can be added before heat treatment.

However, Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) antibacterial activity may be reduced due to the binding with acidic polysaccharides, hydrochlorides, phosphates, copper ions or others. Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) antibacterial activity can be enhanced With hydrochloric acid, citric acid, malic acid, glycine and higher fatty glycerides. Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) with a molecular weight between 3600-4300 has the best antibacterial activity. When the molecular weight is less than 1300, Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) loses its antibacterial activity. Since Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is a mixture, there is no fixed melting point, and softening decomposition starts at 250 ° C or higher. Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) dissolved in water, slightly soluble in ethanol.

Biological Property

(1) Broad antibacterial spectrum: Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) has obvious inhibition to gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, mould, virus and many other microorganism.

(2) Good thermal stability: in 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; Colorless, odorless and nature, do not affect food flavor.

(4) Wide PH range:Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) has broad antibacterial spectrum, the range of PH is between 2 and 9, most common food preservatives have poor antibacterial activity effects in neutral and alkaline conditions.

(5) Strong Blends: it has synergistic effect when blending with potassium sorbet, citric acid, malic acid, glycine and Nisin.

(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 Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) can inhibit the enzyme activity and the fat absorption in the small intestine ester, has curative effect against with obesity.

Mechanism of antimicrobial action

The antimicrobial mechanism of Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is mainly in the following three aspects:

(1) acting on the cell wall and cell membrane system;

(2) acting on the genetic material or genetic structure of the particle;

(3) act on enzymes or functional proteins. Studies found found that Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) not only inhibits the heat-resistant G + micrococcus, but also inhibits G-coli and Salmonella that is not easily inhibited by other natural preservatives (such as Nisin) , and the antibacterial effect is also good. Meanwhile, ε-PL can also inhibit the growth of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophiles and yeast. However, the inhibition of Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger was not obvious when Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) was used alone. The inhibition of Bacillus subtilis by Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) combined with acetic acid was enhanced. Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) still have antibacterial activity on micrococcus after high-temperature treatment.

 

ε-polylysine Application & use in food preservation

(1) ε-polylysine and glycine used together can prolong the shelf life of milk.

(2) extending shelf life of instant rice and fast foods.

(3) polylysine and garlic used together as the food preservatives. This food preservatives are added to or sprayed on the surface of the food when, which has a significant antibacterial and antiseptic effect and can kill or inhibit the pathogenic microorganisms inside or on the food.

How to use

You can dilute Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) to the 5-10% Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) solution with cold boiled water or distilled water, then put it into the food and mix fully. If it is used together with other food preservatives, can attain better effect.

Use dosage

ε-Polylysine is widely used as a natural food preservatives, the foods contain ε-Polylysine such as: cake, pastry, snack foods, cookies, butter, salad, sauce, beverage, wine, meat products, boiled rice, cooked vegetables, soups, noodles and etc. The dosage as follows:

Food categories	Use Level (% w/w)
Bakery
Cake batter and cheesecakes	0.01
Muffins and popovers	0.01
Pancakes and waffles	0.025
Pies (not fruit)	0.025
Sweet pastries	0.01 – 0.025
Pie fillings	0.025
Puddings, custards, and mousses	0.025
Beverage
Alcoholic beverages	0.01
Wine	0.005
Eggnog	0.01
Energy, fitness, sports, and isotonic drinks (ready-to-drink)	0.025
Gelatin, rice, and sugar cane-based beverages	0.025
Soft drinks	0.025
Coffee and coffee beverages	0.025
Tea and tea beverages	0.025
Tomato-based juices	0.025
Nectars	0.025
Chocolate-flavored drinks	0.01
Fruit-flavored drinks and ades (ready to eat)	0.025
Fruit smoothies	0.025
Confectionary
Sweet syrups and toppings	0.025
Culinary
Eggs	0.025
Grain-based dishes	0.025
Pastas	0.025
Fat-based sauces	0.01
Gravy	0.025
Soups (excluding canned)	0.025
Egg-based dishes	0.025
Reduced-fat or fat-free margarine-like spread	0.005
Salad dressings (regular and low-fat)	0.025
Peanut butters and sauces	0.025
Soy products	0.025
Dairy
Cheese-based mixtures	0.025
Cottage, ricotta, and cream cheese	0.025
Feta, mozzarella, and Mexican cheese	0.025
Processed cheese and cheese spreads	0.025
Cream substitutes	0.025
Imitation cheese	0.025
Cream	0.01
Sour cream and dips	0.025
Yogurt	0.01
Fruits and vegetables
Pickles, olives, and pickled products	0.025
Dry beans and bean-based prepared foods	0.025
Potato- and sweet potato-based foods (excluding French fries)	0.025
Vegetable-based prepared foods	0.01 – 0.025
Prepared fruit and fruit mixtures	0.025
Frozen fruit bars and sorbet	0.025
Meat, poultry and seafoods
Meat substitutes	0.025
Fish and shellfish-based foods	0.025
Fish and shellfish	0.025

Market

 

Market trend

With the market trend toward natural food preservatives still going strong, food manufacturers have focused their efforts in using natural food preservatives in their manufacturing to extend the shelf life of their products.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) derived naturally from a submerged aerobic fermentation of Streptomyces albulus. With a high antimicrobial activity against fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria,Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is an ideal natural antimicrobial for extending shelf life of a variety of foods to replace the chemical food preservatives.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) manufacturers

There are several Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) manufacturers in China and abroad, as you know, the price of China Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) suppliers can be better than abroad manufacturers. We have worked with China top Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) manufacturer for years, we would like to recommend this Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) brand to you if you would like to save your purchasing cost with the same Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) quality compared with abroad Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) manufacturers. Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) Samples are available if you need it for further test after accept the price.

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) price

Now the price of Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is around USD/kg from China Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) manufacturers and suppliers.

Where to buy Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine)

 

All the products listed in our website are from the manufacturers we have worked together for many years. The professional working experience backup our confidence to their quality. We sell Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) for many years and we can be your Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) suppliers in China. If you would like to buy Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) or inquiry price for  please e-mail us through: info@foodsweeteners.com

 

Side effects & safety

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is consider as safe preservative commercially used as a natural food preservative in Japan, the republic of Korea and in the USA. Food products containingEpsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) are also found in Japan. The use ofEpsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is common in food applications like: boiled rice, cooked vegetables, soups, noodles and sliced fish (sushi).

Approval and regulations

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) is food grade and meets FAO/WHO specifications. It is certified as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the US FDA with US GRAS No.: GRN000135, CAS No.: 28211-04-3. Currently,Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) has approval as a food additive in China, Korea, Japan USA and some more countries.

Range of application

Epsilon Poly L Lysine (ε-Polylysine) was generally recognized as a safe food preservative by FDA in October,2003. It is widely used in food preservation. In food application, it is usually applied with alcohol, organic acids, or glyceride and etc. It can be used in cooked rice, cakes, snacks, noodles, drinks, brewing, meat products, canned food, etc.

Hazard Identification

ε-Polylysine was found to be non-toxic at high levels in acute animal studies and was not mutagenic in bacterial reversion assays. ε-Polylysine is “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS. GRN000315) by the FDA.