Food-grade ε-Polylysine

ε-Polylysine, also known as epsilon-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) is a homopolymer consisting of 25-35 L-lysine residues (molecular weight (Mw) range of 3,200-4,500 Da) with linkages between α-carboxyl and ε-amino groups. In general, ε-PL is a slightly bitter tasting, hygroscopic, light-yellow natural cationic polymer, and can be completely digested into lysine by the body. Because of its novel structure, ɛ-PL exhibits several excellent physicochemical and biological properties, including water solubility, selective removal of endotoxins, biodegradability, thermostability and nontoxicity toward humans and the environment. More importantly, ε-PL exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial ability against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, yeasts and some viruses.Given its affordability and effective antiseptic properties, ε-PL is a popular choice for use as a preservative in a wide range of products, including baked goods, cooked meat products, and fruit and vegetable juices. It is already widely used as a food additive in Japan, Korea, and other parts of the world. In the United States, the FDA has recognized polylysine as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) material.

Food Grade ε-Polylysine Product Overview

Parameter	Specification	Key Features
CAS Number	28211-04-3	Broad-spectrum Antimicrobial Activity: Demonstrates effective inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as yeasts, molds, viruses, et al. Outstanding Thermal Stability: Remains stable without decomposition at elevated temperatures. High Solubility in Water: Dissolves effortlessly in aqueous solutions. Versatile pH Compatibility: Maintains strong antibacterial efficacy across a pH range of 2 to 9.
Chemical Formula	(C₆H₁₂N₂O•HCl)n
Purity	≥95%
Moisture	≤10%
pH (1% solution)	4.5–7.0
Heavy Metals	<10 ppm
Microbial Limits	Pathogen-free, low bioburden
Appearance	Light yellow powder

ε-Polylysine Dosage in Food Products

Category	Recommended Dosage	Maximum dosage
Starch-based Foods	0.25%	0.25 g/kg
Seafood Products	0.4%	0.25 g/kg
Meat	0.5%	0.3 g/kg
Fruits and Vegetables	0.3%	0.3 g/kg
Juices and beverages	50 mg/L	0.2 g/L

Incorporation Method

Dry Blending (Powder Form)

Mix ε-PL powder with dry ingredients (e.g., flour, starch, protein powder)
Ensure even dispersion in small-scale mixes or through premixing

Solution Addition (Liquid Form)

Dissolve ε-PL in purified water (1–5% solution)
Add during mixing or blending step
Homogenize or stir vigorously to ensure even distribution

Surface Application (Spray)

Prepare 0.5–1.0% aqueous ε-PL solution
Spray onto surfaces (e.g., meats, cakes, wraps)
Air-dry or vacuum-pack immediately after application

ε-Polylysine Production

ε-Polylysine has received the FDA GRAS certification in the United States. GRAS certification is subject to rigorous review not only of the substance itself, but also of the manufacturing process.

Main Microbial Strain

Streptomyces albulus

Natural ε-PL producer
Can be enhanced through strain improvement or genetic engineering

Fermentation Conditions

Parameter	Value / Range
Carbon Source	Glucose, glycerol, sucrose
Nitrogen Source	Ammonium sulfate, corn steep liquor
pH Control	5.0–5.5 (acidic pH favors ε-PL synthesis)
Temperature	30–37°C
Aeration	0.5–1.0 vvm
Time	72–96 hours
Yield (typical)	1–4 g/L (lab); up to 10–15 g/L (optimized)

Downstream Processing

Broth Clarification: centrifuge and filter
Acid Precipitation: lower pH to ~3–4 to precipitate ε-PL
Ultrafiltration / Diafiltration: remove small molecules and pigments
Ion Exchange Chromatography: further purification
Drying: vacuum or spray drying
Final Product: ε-PL powder, 95–99% purity

ε-Polylysine vs. Nisin vs. Natamycin as Natural Food Preservatives

Feature / Parameter	ε-Polylysine	Nisin	Natamycin
Origin	Streptomyces albulus	Lactococcus lactis (subsp. lactis)	Streptomyces natalensis or S. gilvosporeus
Molecular Type	Cationic polypeptide (25–35 L-lysine residues)	Lantibiotic (small peptide, ~3.3 kDa)	Polyene macrolide antifungal
Molecular Weight	~3–5 kDa	~3.4 kDa	~665 Da
Solubility	Water-soluble	Water-soluble	Poorly water-soluble (often in ethanol dispersion)
Stability (pH)	Stable 3–8	Stable 3–6.5 (degrades in alkaline pH)	Stable 3–9
Stability (Heat)	Very stable	Heat-stable (used in processed cheese, etc.)	Heat-sensitive at high temps
Target Microbes	Broad-spectrum: bacteria (Gram±), yeasts, molds	Narrow-spectrum: mostly Gram-positive bacteria	Broad-spectrum: yeasts and molds
Mechanism of Action	Disrupts microbial membranes	Pore-forming in bacterial membranes (lipid II target)	Binds ergosterol in fungal membranes
Usage Concentration	10–500 ppm (depending on matrix)	2.5–25 ppm	1–10 ppm (surface use common)
Applications	Rice, noodles, beverages, sauces, bakery	Dairy (cheese), meat, canned goods, beverages	Surface of cheese, sausages, baked goods
Typical Form	Powder, liquid solution	Powder (pure or standardized)	Powder, 50% dispersion
Toxicity / Safety	Non-toxic, safe for consumption	ADI = 0.13 mg/kg (JECFA)	ADI = 0.3 mg/kg (JECFA)
Labeling	"ε-Polylysine" or "Natural preservative"	"Nisin" or "E234"	"Natamycin" or "E235"
GMO Status	Non-GMO production strains available	Traditional fermentation	Non-GMO
GRAS Status (USA)	Yes	Yes	Yes
EU Approval	Under review (novel food)	Approved as E234	Approved as E235

Optimized Production Platform

Creative Biogene utilizes a wide range of microorganisms to produce hyaluronic acid for cosmetic uses. Our fermentation facility is fully equipped and complaint with the current good manufacturing practice. We can provide you with efficient solutions for large-scale manufacturing.

Customer Reviews

Our collaboration for ε-Polylysine production has been exceptional. The team provided consistent high-purity ε-PL that met both our internal QA and regulatory requirements. Their ability to scale fermentation and support our shelf-life extension goals was instrumental in launching our preservative-free ready meals.

- Daniel Kim

Head of Product Development

We chose this fermentation partner for their robust ε-PL production capabilities. They supported us from pilot-scale testing to commercial-scale batches with remarkable technical transparency. The product stability and microbial purity exceeded our expectations.

- Dr. Isabelle Fournier

Director of R&D

Reliable lead times, excellent technical documentation, and consistent product quality — these are the reasons we continue sourcing food-grade ε-Polylysine from this team. They’ve been a valuable part of our clean-label preservation strategy across multiple SKUs.

- Thomas Becker

Procurement Manager

We collaborated with this group on ε-PL for biomedical applications. Their product quality, GMP-aligned documentation, and flexibility in scale were exceptional. This has been a reliable source for our in-vitro and preclinical development programs.

- Prof. Lin Wei

Director of Biomedical Materials Division

Partner with Us

Whether you are looking for a reliable partner for small-scale R&D or large-scale commercial production of ε-Polylysine, our Food-Grade ε-Polylysine CDMO services provide the expertise, flexibility, and quality you need. From fermentation and purification to formulation and regulatory compliance, we are equipped to support every stage of your ε-Polylysine production process, helping you deliver superior products to your customers.