Food-grade ε-Polylysine

ε-Polylysine, also known as epsilon-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL), has a variety of properties, including thermal stability, resistance to acidic conditions, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It is a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide used as a food preservative. It is produced by fermentation of Streptomyces bacteria. ε-Polylysine inhibits the growth of various microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, and molds, making it effective in extending the shelf life of food products.

ε-Polylysine has both cationic and hydrophobic properties due to the presence of four carbon (C4) between the amino groups. This slightly bitter, hygroscopic powder dissolves readily in water and exhibits slight solubility in ethanol. Comprised of a straight-chain polymer of L-lysine, its potency remains unaffected by pH variations and sustains stability even at high temperatures (120 ºC for 20 min), ensuring consistent performance.

Food Grade ε-Polylysine Product Overview

Xanthan gum is used in food production to improve the texture, consistency and shelf-life of foods such as salad dressings, soups, sauces and baked goods. It is particularly useful for those with coeliac disease or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity who must follow a gluten-free diet. This is because gluten-free substitutes for wheat flour need additives like xanthan gum to achieve a product that resembles the crumb and lightness of regular bakes. Xanthan gum does this by thickening and binding starches, mimicking the elastic properties of gluten. Xanthan gum is purchased in powder form and dissolves easily in water.

Parameter	Specification	Key Features
CAS Number	28211-04-3	Profoundly inhibits bacteria, yeasts, and molds, especially targeting Gram-negative bacteria resistant to other agents. Offers high safety, solubility, and stability, preserving taste while exhibiting antibacterial properties in neutral or slightly acidic conditions. Exhibits stability against heat, enabling control of heat-resistant bacteria and certain noncontractile siphovirus strains.
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

Formulation Guideline for ε-Polylysine in Food Products

General Usage Parameters

Item	Guideline
Form Used	ε-PL hydrochloride (powder or aqueous solution)
Solubility	Completely water-soluble
Recommended pH	Best activity at pH 4.0–7.0
Effective Range	20–500 ppm (depending on product & regulation)
Thermal Stability	Retains activity after pasteurization or retort

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.