Green Tea Can Protect Food Against Contamination

Scientists have proven that extracts from natural sources such as green tea could be alternatives for food processors against pathogen contamination. Other sources could be grape seed or bacteriocins such as nisin.

Researchers for the Food Safety Consortium at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture have tested natural extracts to hot dogs made of chicken and turkey and the results were encouraging.

Food preservation systems often use chemicals and heat treatments to reduce the risk of bacterial food poisoning outbreaks and food spoilage, said Navam Hettiarachchy, the lead researcher in this project. There has been increasing evidence on the antimicrobial activities of the extracts from culinary ingredients such as green tea, grape seed and spices against foodborne pathogens.

Natural extracts can achieve a similar goal without affecting the taste or food safety and thus respond to the consumers’ preferences for minimal processing and natural tasting foods with no additives. Natural plant extracts were able to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on hot dogs.