Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods that decrease the interaction between tannins found in wine (such as polymeric tannins) and lysozyme added to wine as an antimicrobial agent, for example by adding a tannin-binding agent to the wine prior to adding lysozyme to the wine. In particular examples, such methods increase lysozyme antimicrobial activity (for example by increasing the effective lysozyme concentration) in the wine, since lysozyme bound to tannin is not available for providing antimicrobial activity. Also provided are methods for making wine. Compositions that include wine, lysozyme, and one or more tannin-binding agents that decrease the interaction between tannins and lysozyme are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure herein contemplates a composite film comprising lysozyme incorporated within a chitosan polymer matrix. In another aspect, there is disclosed a film that includes chitosan, and about 10 to about 200 weight percent lysozyme, based on the weight of the chitosan. Also disclosed is a method for making a film that includes dissolving or dispersing chitosan and lysozyme in an aqueous medium resulting in a film-forming solution or dispersion; applying the film-forming solution or dispersion to a substrate surface; and converting the film-forming solution or dispersion into a film. In a particularly useful application, the film is an antimicrobial protectant for a food article.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions for use as disinfectants. The compositions disclosed herein include wine, salt, and sulfur dioxide. In one example, the composition includes a waste wine, at least about 1.5% w/v salt, at least about 0.5% alcohol, and at least about 30 ppm sulfur dioxide. Methods are provided for using such compositions to disinfect various objects.

Abstract: The growth of spoilage bacteria in yeast preparations and in fermentation products is inhibited by addition of lysozyme at various steps in the production process.

Abstract: Articles and surfaces are disclosed having antimicrobial activity. Also disclosed are methods for treating surfaces and articles to confer antimicrobial activity. Such articles and surfaces are particularly adapted for food contact use, such as food preparation or packaging. Antimicrobial activity is conferred by applying molecules of a polypeptide bacteriocin, e.g., nisin, such as by contacting the surface or article with a liquid solution of a bacteriocin or bacteriocin mixture. The bacteriocin molecules are attached to the surface or article via any means enabling the molecules to subsequently detach and lethally interact with susceptible bacteria deposited on the treated surface or article. Such detached bacteriocin molecules can also kill susceptible bacteria present on foods or other substances that contact the surface or article. Attached bacteriocins are stable to drying, water rinsing, and freezing, even for long periods.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for deacidifying wine using malolactic fermentation (MLF) under conditions inhibitory for spoillage lactic acid bacteria (LAB), making possible a "pure culture" MLF in which a winemaker is provided with a way to control the timing of onset and the outcome of wine MLF. The method comprises adding nisin to the wine at a concentration lethal to nisin-sensitive LAB, adding to the wine an inoculum of nisin-resistant LAB mutants capable in the presence of nisin of converting malic acid to lactic acid, and maintaining the inoculated wine under conditions in which the MLF can occur. Afterward, nisin can be removed from the wine by contacting the wine with a nisin-removing substance, such as bentonite. The nisin can be added either before or simultaneously with addition of the nisin-resistant LAB, at any time during winemaking, including primary yeast fermentation.

Abstract: Bloating of brine fermented cucumbers can be greatly reduced by using lactic acid bacteria which do not decarboxylate malic acid and therefore do not produce carbon dioxide during fermentation. Also, certain high acid wines can be improved by fermenting fruit with bacteria which do decarboxylate malic acid.A method has been discovered of differentiating between species of lactic acid bacteria which do and do not decarboxylate malic acid. This method comprises growing a lactic acid bacterium in a suitable malic acid-containing nutritive growth medium under conditions suitable for growth and monitoring the pH of the medium during growth. The pH will decrease only when a lactic acid bacterium is present which does not decarboxylate malic acid.