SC+Acidulants

Global Ingredients In Use: Acidifiers with Culture

Q & A:

1. How citric acid inhibit microbial growth?
 * Although citric acid does not inhibit microbial growth very well, it improves the effectiveness of benzoic acid. As citric acid drops the pH of a product, an increasing percent of the benzoic acid molecules move to their undissociated, antimicrobial form. **

2. What are the use of acidifier additives? Give some example.
 * They are used for flavoring, health benefits and other functions besides food preservation. For example, since acidulants can stabilize the pH of food products by participating in buffering systems, they also beneficially impact a product’s flavor and texture. The use of acidifiers is ubiquitous in processes involving other products such as cheese, wine, pickles and canned foods. **