Plant-based extracts as natural food preservatives
This solution leverages plant-based extracts as natural preservatives to inhibit spoilage and extend the shelf life of food products. With growing resistance to synthetic preservatives, these extracts offer a safe, natural alternative with antimicrobial properties.
Overview
The rise in consumer preference for natural ingredients and the growing resistance to synthetic preservatives have led to the development of novel plant-based extracts as natural food preservatives. These extracts harness the antimicrobial properties inherent in plants to inhibit spoilage and extend the shelf life of various food products. This approach not only aligns with consumer demand for natural ingredients but also addresses legislative shifts towards reducing synthetic chemical usage in food preservation.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Over 1100 plant extracts have been collated through international collaborations, respecting the Nagoya protocol.
- The extracts are sourced from certified commercial vendors, ensuring authenticity and cost-effectiveness.
- Initial testing targets specific strains like Zygosaccharomyces bailii, with further tests planned for evaluating log order reduction and IC50 values.
- Ten promising extracts will undergo product challenge tests to assess their efficacy in real-world food preservation scenarios.
Technology readiness level
Currently, this technology is at a TRL 3, indicating that active research and testing are being conducted to validate the effectiveness of these plant extracts in food preservation applications. Further development and validation are planned to ensure readiness for broader commercial application.
About Utkal University
Utkal University is a large public teaching-and-affiliating research university, established in 1943, with 27 postgraduate departments, about 5,000 postgraduate students, and a broad affiliated-college network. Its 399-acre Vani Vihar campus in Bhubaneswar connects researchers with Odisha’s government and industrial ecosystem. The Research and Development Cell coordinates external funding, collaborations, shared infrastructure, intellectual-property support, and industry-facing partnerships, complemented by a Central Instrumentation Facility, Centres of Excellence, and an innovation incubator. Research is supported by competitive funding from UGC, DST, DBT, CSIR, and ICSSR.
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