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Arjuna Natural Extracts launched X-tend, a complete, natural, formulation-specific preservative designed to increase chilled-meat product shelf-life and ensure food safety. Synthetic preservatives commonly used in chilled meats contain nitrates that can generate nitrosamines, chemical compounds suspected of increasing cancer risk. But nitrosomyoglobin, formed from myoglobin and nitric oxide during curing, is responsible for the red colour in cured meats associated with freshness.
”We conducted a number of bench trials to measure how X-tend performs in chilled meat preservation,” says Benny Antony, PhD, Joint Managing Director for Arjuna. “The excellent results encouraged us to offer this new, powerful natural preservative formulation to meat manufacturers. It’s a new, clean way of preservation that also can help differentiate cured meat products in the marketplace.”
Some of the volatile nitrosamines formed during curing process with nitrates have mutagenic activity a high price paid for controlling the growth of yeast and mould. The all-natural X-tend formulation can replace chemical nitrosomyoglobin-forming preservatives yet is non-carcinogenic and safe to use in chilled meat. It is highly potent and prevents the growth of yeast and mold in chilled meat products.
”We conducted a number of bench trials to measure how X-tend performs in chilled meat preservation,” says Benny Antony, PhD, Joint Managing Director for Arjuna. “The excellent results encouraged us to offer this new, powerful natural preservative formulation to meat manufacturers. It’s a new, clean way of preservation that also can help differentiate cured meat products in the marketplace.”
“Today’s meat industries are increasingly seeking more ready-to-use solutions that are tailored and natural, allowing for clean label products,” notes Antony. “X-tend is offered in both liquid and powder forms. It is a comprehensive, natural solution safeguarding taste, color, product safety, and increased shelf-life.
Arjuna’s R&D team has also developed a range of natural preservatives that do not change the organoleptic properties of food and beverage products such as bread, yoghurt, cheese sausage, humus, mayonnaise and vegetable oils, fruit juices, and fruit pulp. The company’s ingredient scientists combine herbal extracts used in traditional medicine with methods of fermentation for bacteriocins, in concert with advanced technologies, such as microencapsulation and emulsification. X-tend address three major food trends like natural, clean label and food safety.
Arjuna’s production processes and products meet market-specific regulations worldwide. A GMP-certified, SAP-driven company, Arjuna has achieved international certifications including ISO22000, Kosher and Halal. Arjuna continues to engage in research and development, with continuing scientific validation of its novel product line through advanced clinical studies.