Abstract: A composition suitable for inhibiting the outgrowth of fungi is provided comprising a first ingredient which inhibits the biogenesis of a normal fungal cell wall and a second ingredient which is capable of perturbing the structure of the cellular membrane of said fungi, so that either the cellular integrity is essentially lost or cell division cannot take place, or both. The first ingredient preferably inhibits the anchorage of cell wall proteins in the cell wall of the fungi and is suitably a &bgr;-(1,6)-glucose polysaccharide, preferably &bgr;-gentiobiose or a pustulan fragment. The second ingredient is suitably a natural microbial membrane affecting substance (MMAS), preferably MB-21. The composition is particularly suitable as a preservative for inhibiting the outgrowth of fungi in food products, such as sauces, dressings, ketchups, and soups, but is also useful for preventing or inhibiting undesired fungal growth on other products such as personal health care products, e.g. soap bars.