Antimicrobial Delivery Systems for Foods and Beverages

• Antimicrobial delivery systems for foods and beverages
• Foods and beverages with potent antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining desirable sensory properties

PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

• The antimicrobial delivery systems have great stability when applied to comestibles without causing turbidities or precipitates.
• The antimicrobial delivery systems can be reliably produced from biodegradable and non-toxic food-grade components.
• The antimicrobial delivery systems are highly adaptable and tunable to meet the needs of diverse food systems.
• Simple, low-cost and reliable fabrication method

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

This invention provides novel, food-grade antimicrobial delivery systems for foods and beverages, and especially for clear beverages, to control microbial spoilage without adversely affecting the sensory products of such foods and beverages. The delivery systems comprise complexes formed between a food-grade cationic antimicrobial biopolymer and a food-grade anionic biopolymer. Appropriate amounts of such complexes in solution can be easily introduced into food systems.

ABOUT THE LEAD INVENTOR

Dr. D. Julian McClements is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research interests include food biopolymers and colloids, oral delivery systems, gastrointestinal fate of nutrients and nutraceuticals, and food nanotechnolgy. He has published over 850 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, and is the co-editor of Annual Reviews in Food Science and Technology and a member of the editorial boards of a number of other journals.

AVAILABILITY:

Available for Licensing and/or Sponsored Research

DOCKET:

UMA 11-24

PATENT STATUS:

US Patent issued: US 9,781,949

NON-CONFIDENTIAL INVENTION DISCLOSURE

LEAD INVENTOR:

D. Julian McClements, Ph.D.

CONTACT:

This invention provides novel, food-grade antimicrobial delivery systems for foods and beverages, and especially for clear beverages, to control microbial spoilage without adversely affecting the sensory products of such foods and beverages. The delivery systems comprise complexes formed between a food-grade cationic antimicrobial biopolymer and a food-grade anionic biopolymer. Appropriate amounts of such complexes in solution can be easily introduced into food systems.