Composition comprising a bacteriocin and an extract from a plant of the labiatae family

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition comprising (a) an antimicrobial material; and (b) an extract obtained from or obtainable from a plant of the Labiatae family, wherein (a) and (b) are different; wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of greater than 1.0 wt. %, based on the composition, and wherein when the antimicrobial material consists of nisin, the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition and carvone in an amount of less than 15 wt. % based on the composition.

1 . A composition comprising 
 (a) an antimicrobial material; and    (b) an extract obtained from or obtainable from a plant of the Labiatae family,    wherein (a) and (b) are different    wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of greater than 1.0 wt. %, based on the composition,    and wherein when the antimicrobial material consists of nisin, the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition and carvone in an amount of less than 15 wt. % based on the composition.    
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       3 . A composition according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.04 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       4 . A composition according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.02 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       5 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises carvone in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       6 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises carvone in an amount of less than 0.04 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       7 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises carvone in an amount of less than 0.02 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       8 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises thymol in an amount of less than 0.1 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       9 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises thymol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       10 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises thymol in an amount of less than 0.05 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       11 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the antimicrobial material is a bacteriocin.  
   
   
       12 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bacteriocin is selected from lanthionine containing bacteriocins,  Lactococcus -derived bacteriocins,  Streptococcus -derived bacteriocins,  Pediococcus -derived bacteriocins,  Lactobacillus -derived bacteriocins,  Carnobacterium -derived bacteriocins,  Leuconostoc -derived bacteriocins,  Enterococcus -derived bacteriocins and mixtures thereof  
   
   
       13 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bacteriocin is at least nisin.  
   
   
       14 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the extract is obtained from a plant of the Labiatae family.  
   
   
       15 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant of the Labiatae family is selected from rosemary, sage, oregano, marjoram, mint, balm, savoury, and thyme.  
   
   
       16 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant of the Labiatae family is selected from rosemary, sage, oregano, marjoram, mint, balm, and savoury.  
   
   
       17 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant of the Labiatae family is rosemary.  
   
   
       18 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of is greater than 2.0 wt. %, based on the composition.  
   
   
       19 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of is greater than 3.0 wt. %, based on the composition.  
   
   
       20 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of is greater than 3.5 wt. %, based on the composition.  
   
   
       21 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the phenolic diterpene is selected from carnosic acid, carnosol, methylcarnosic acid and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       22 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the extract comprises or is selected from phenolic diterpenes, phenolic triterpenes and rosmarinic acid.  
   
   
       23 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the extract comprises a phenolic triterpene.  
   
   
       24 . A composition according to  claim 17  wherein the amount of phenolic triterpenes, based on the composition, is greater than 3.5 wt. %.  
   
   
       25 . A composition according to  claim 16 ,  17  or  18  wherein the phenolic triterpene is selected from betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid.  
   
   
       26 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the extract comprises a rosmarinic acid.  
   
   
       27 . A composition according to  claim 20  wherein the amount of rosmarinic acid, based on the composition, is greater than 3.5 wt. %.  
   
   
       28 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the combined amount of phenolic diterpenes, phenolic triterpenes and rosmarinic acid, based on the composition, is greater than 3.5 wt. %.  
   
   
       29 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the extract contains flavour-inducing compounds and/or essential oils in an amount of less than 1 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       30 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the extract contains essential oils in an amount of less than 1 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       31 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the antimicrobial material and/or the extract are present in an amount to provide a microbicidal or microbiostatic effect.  
   
   
       32 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the antimicrobial material and the extract are present in an amount to provide a microbicidal or microbiostatic effect.  
   
   
       33 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the antimicrobial material and the extract are present in an amount to provide a microbicidal or microbiostatic synergistic effect.  
   
   
       34 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the antimicrobial material and the extract are present in an amount to provide a microbicidal synergistic effect.  
   
   
       35 . A composition according to any one of  claims 31  to  34  wherein the microbicidal or microbiostatic effect is a bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect.  
   
   
       36 . A composition according to  claim 35  wherein the bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect is in respect of Gram-positive bacteria.  
   
   
       37 . A composition according to  claim 36  wherein the bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect is in respect of an organism selected from species of  Bacillus,  species of  Clostridium, Listeria monocytogenes,  lactic acid bacteria, and  Lactobacillus  species.  
   
   
       38 . A composition according to any one of  claims 35  to  37  wherein the bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect is in respect of  Listeria monocytogenes.    
   
   
       39 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition is a foodstuff.  
   
   
       40 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition is a protectant composition suitable for addition to a foodstuff.  
   
   
       41 . A composition according to  claim 39  or  40  the foodstuff is selected from raw meat, cooked meat, raw poultry products, cooked poultry products, raw seafood products, cooked seafood products, ready to eat meals, pasta sauces, pasteurised soups, mayonnaise, salad dressings, oil-in-water emulsions, margarines, low fat spreads, water-in-oil emulsions, dairy products, cheese spreads, processed cheese, dairy desserts, flavoured milks, cream, fermented milk products, cheese, butter, condensed milk products, ice cream mixes, soya products, pasteurised liquid egg, bakery products, confectionery products, fruit products, and foods with fat-based or water-containing fillings.  
   
   
       42 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition further comprises an emulsifier.  
   
   
       43 . A composition according to  claim 42  wherein the emulsifier is selected from polysorbates, monoglycerides, diglycerides, acetic acid esters of mono-diglycerides, tartaric acid esters of mono-diglycerides and citric acid esters of mono-diglycerides.  
   
   
       44 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition further comprises a chelator.  
   
   
       45 . A composition according to  claim 44  wherein the chelator is selected from EDTA, citric acid, monophosphates, diphosphates, triphosphates and polyphosphates.  
   
   
       46 . A composition according to  claim 44  or  45  wherein the chelator enhances the antimicrobial activity and/or antimicrobial spectrum of the antimicrobial material.  
   
   
       47 . A composition according to  claim 44 ,  45  or  46  wherein the chelator enhances the antimicrobial activity and/or antimicrobial spectrum of the antimicrobial material in respect of Gram-negative bacteria.  
   
   
       48 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition further comprises a lytic enzyme.  
   
   
       49 . A composition according to  claim 48  wherein the lytic enzyme is a lysozyme.  
   
   
       50 . A composition according to  claim 1  comprising 
 (a) an antimicrobial material, wherein the antimicrobial material is nisin; and    (b) an extract obtained from a plant of the Labiatae family, wherein the extract is a phenolic triterpene selected from betulinic acid, oleanolic acid or ursolic acid wherein the antimicrobial material and the extract are present in an amount to provide a bactericidal or bacteriostatic synergistic effect.    
   
   
       51 . A composition according to  claim 1  comprising 
 (a) an antimicrobial material, wherein the antimicrobial material is nisin; and    (b) an extract obtained from a plant of the Labiatae family, wherein the extract is rosmarinic acid,    wherein the antimicrobial material and the extract are present in an amount to provide a bactericidal or bacteriostatic synergistic effect.    
   
   
       52 . A process for preventing and/or inhibiting the growth of, and/or killing a microorganism in a material, the process comprising the step of contacting the material with 
 (a) an antimicrobial material; and    (b) an extract obtained from or obtainable from a plant of the Labiatae family,    wherein (a) and (b) are different    wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of greater than 1.0 wt. %, based on the composition,    wherein when the antimicrobial material consists of nisin, the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition and carvone in an amount of less than 15 wt. % based on the composition.    
   
   
       53 . A process according to  claim 52  wherein the antimicrobial material and the extract are added to the material together.  
   
   
       54 . A process according to  claim 52  wherein the antimicrobial material and the extract are added to the material sequentially.  
   
   
       55 . A process according to any one of  claims 52  to  54  wherein the bacteriocin is added to the material.  
   
   
       56 . A process according to  claim 52  wherein the bacteriocin is formed in situ in the material.  
   
   
       57 . A process according to any one of  claims 52  to  56  wherein the material is a foodstuff.  
   
   
       58 . A process according to any one of  claims 52  to  57  characterised by the features of any one of  claim 2  to  51 .  
   
   
       59 . Use of (a) an antimicrobial material; and b) an extract obtained from or obtainable from a plant of the Labiatae family, for preventing and/or inhibiting the growth of, and/or killing a micro-organism in a material; wherein (a) and (b) are different; wherein the composition contains phenolic diterpenes in an amount of greater than 1.0 wt. %, based on the composition, and wherein when the antimicrobial material consists of nisin, the composition comprises carvacrol in an amount of less than 0.075 wt. % based on the composition and carvone in an amount of less than 15 wt. % based on the composition.  
   
   
       60 . Use according to  claim 59  wherein the material is a foodstuff.  
   
   
       61 . Use according to  claim 59  or  60  for synergistically preventing and/or inhibiting the growth of, and/or killing a micro-organism in a material.  
   
   
       62 . Use according to any one of  claims 59  to  61  characterised by the features of any one of  claim 2  to  51 .  
   
   
       63 . A kit for preparing a composition as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  51 , the kit comprising 
 (a) an antimicrobial material; and    (b) an extract obtained from or obtainable from a plant of the Labiatae family,    wherein (a) and (b) are different    in separate packages or containers; optionally with instructions for admixture and/or contacting and/or use.    
   
   
       64 . A composition as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples.  
   
   
       65 . A process as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples.  
   
   
       66 . A use as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples.  
   
   
       67 . A kit as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples.