EP1629724A1 — The use of glycine and/or a glycine derivative as antibacterial agent in foods and/or drinks

USPTO Abstract

The invention relates to the use of glycine and/or a glycine derivative as antibacterial agent in foods and/or drinks with the proviso that in addition to said glycine and/or glycine derivative no hetero-saccharide containing macromolecule is used, nor 1,5 D-anhydrofructose is used as antibacterial agent in said foods and drinks. Preferably glycine and/or a glycine derivative are used as sole antibacterial agent in foods and/or drinks. The current preservation methods, e.g. salt addition, pH regulation, nitrite addition and processing techniques as for example heat treatment, are not universally suitable for all food and drink applications because they affect product quality with respect to taste, texture and flavour. Further, they are not effective against most food borne pathogens. Furthermore, the current preservation techniques do not prevent food-spoilage and/or food poisoning as consequences of e.g. temperature-abuse and/or contamination due to e.g. improper handling or improper preparation of the food and drink products. It was found that glycine and/or a glycine derivative overcomes the problems of the current preservation methods and further provides a means for prevention of consequences as food spoilage and/or food poisoning by pathogenic bacteria due to e.g. temperature-abuse and/or contamination of food and drink products.