Abstract: The invention provides a curing agent comprising a plant-based nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate and a process for preparing the curing agent comprising contacting a plant material with an organism capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The curing agent can be used to preserve or cure meat or meat products.

Abstract: The invention provides a curing agent comprising a plant-based nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate and a process for preparing the curing agent comprising contacting a plant material with an organism capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The curing agent can be used to preserve or cure meat or meat products.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the outgrowth of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in food and beverage products having a moisture content of about 38-80% by weight, a salt content of less than about 5.0% by weight, and a pH range of about 4.6 to about 8.5. The application of an organic acid or its salt with a fermentation derived antimicrobial peptide offers a robust solution to curtail growth of spores and vegetative cells without the need for chemicals, such as sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate or sorbate.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the outgrowth of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in food and beverage products having a moisture content of about 38-80% by weight, a salt content of less than about 5.0% by weight, and a pH range of about 4.6 to about 8.5. The application of an organic acid or its salt with a fermentation derived antimicrobial peptide offers a robust solution to curtail growth of spores and vegetative cells without the need for chemicals, such as sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate or sorbate.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of inhibiting the outgrowth of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in high moisture (65-80% by weight) and low salt (<2.0% by weight) nutrient dense environments with a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5. The application of an organic acid or its salt with a fermentation derived antimicrobial peptide offers a robust solution to curtail growth of spores and vegetative cells without the need for chemicals such as sodium nitrite or nitrate.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of inhibiting the outgrowth of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in high moisture (65-80% by weight) and low salt (<2.0% by weight) nutrient dense environments with a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5. The application of an organic acid or its salt with a fermentation derived antimicrobial peptide offers a robust solution to curtail growth of spores and vegetative cells without the need for chemicals such as sodium nitrite or nitrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a curing agent comprising a plant-based nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate and a process for preparing the curing agent comprising contacting a plant material with an organism capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The curing agent can be used to preserve or cure meat or meat products.

Abstract: Packaging comprises polymer film (1) with portions of the film (1) sealed together to form an enclosure for the food stuff, said sealed portions being sealed by a film-to-film seal except in a vent region (5) where a lacquer layer (6) is bonded to each portion of film before said portions are sealed together with the lacquer layers cohering, the seal strength of the lacquer-to-lacquer interface (6) being similar to that of the film-to-film interface under predetermined storage conditions, and the seal strength of said lacquer-to-lacquer interface (6) being reduced compared with that of the film-to-film interface at temperatures above those expected under said predetermined storage conditions so that the enclosure is vented to atmosphere by a cohesive peel action in the vent region (5) between said lacquer layers (6).

Abstract: The invention provides a curing agent comprising a plant-based nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate and a process for preparing the curing agent comprising contacting a plant material with an organism capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The curing agent can be used to preserve or cure meat or meat products.

Abstract: A method for densifying a dielectric antiferroelectric material includes the steps of adding a compound which includes lithium to the dielectric material to create a mixture thereof. Thereafter, the mixture is heated to a temperature of not greater than about 1100.degree. C. for a predetermined period to densify the mixture. It is preferred that the lithium compound be a lithium salt and that the dielectric material comprise a PLZT composition.