Delivery carrier for antimicrobial essential oils

Abstract

The present invention relates to a use of an emulsion comprising an antimicrobial essential oil, acacia gum and water for improving the antimicrobial effect of the essential oil in an aqueous composition, particularly in a food or beverage composition. Further, the invention relates to a process to improve the antimicrobial effect of an essential oil, and aqueous compositions comprising an emulsion of an antimicrobial essential oil, acacia gum and water.

1 . An aqueous composition comprising an emulsion of an antimicrobial essential oil, acacia gum and water, wherein the essential oil is present in a concentration of less than 0.08 wt % of the aqueous composition. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil is present in a concentration of less than 0.06 wt % of the aqueous composition. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil is present in a concentration of less than 0.04 wt % of the aqueous composition. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the essential oil to acacia gum is from 1:0.5 to 1:50. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil is selected from the group consisting of oregano ( origanum , origan) oil, garlic oil, ginger oil, cinnamon oil, lime oil, lemon oil, lemongrass oil, clove leaf oil and citrus oil, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the essential oil is selected from the group consisting of oregano ( origanum , origan), garlic oil, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of a water-based sauce, a marinade, a dressing, a condiment, a taste maker, a soup, a dessert and an ice cream product. 
     
     
         8 . An aqueous composition comprising an emulsion of an antimicrobial essential oil, acacia gum and water, wherein the essential oil is present in a concentration of less than 0.08 wt % of the aqueous composition, and wherein the composition is a beverage or food product. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the essential oil is present in a concentration of less than 0.06 wt % of the aqueous composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the essential oil is present in a concentration of less than 0.04 wt % of the aqueous composition. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the weight ratio of the essential oil to acacia gum is from 1:0.5 to 1:50. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the essential oil is selected from the group consisting of oregano ( origanum,  origan) oil, garlic oil, ginger oil, cinnamon oil, lime oil, lemon oil, lemongrass oil, clove leaf oil and citrus oil, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the essential oil is selected from the group consisting of oregano ( origanum,  origan), garlic oil, and combinations thereof.