Antimicrobial compositions for use on food products

Abstract

The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, and specifically antimicrobial compositions that are useful at sanitizing food products. The compositions of the present invention include octanoic acid, an acidulant, a coupling agent, an optional buffer, and water. The compositions of the present invention are composed of GRAS or food additive raw materials.

1 . An antimicrobial composition for application on a food product comprising:
 (a) about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % octanoic acid;   (b) an acidulant selected from the group consisting of citric acid, phosphoric acid and mixtures thereof;   (c) a buffer selected from the group consisting of a citrate salt, a phosphate salt, and mixtures thereof;   (d) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of a sulfonate, an alkyl polyglucoside, and mixtures thereof;   (e) a flavoring aid selected from the group consisting of a marinade, a tenderizer, a spice, and mixtures thereof;   (f) an optional coupling agent; and   (g) an optional film-forming agent.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the octanoic acid is an ester or salt of octanoic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is considered GRAS or a food additive. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling agent is a sorbitan ester. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a concentrate composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a ready-to-use composition. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising additional functional ingredients. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the additional functional ingredients are selected from the group consisting of oxidizers, carriers, chelating agents, hydrotropes, thickening agents, gelling agents, potentiators, fragrance, dye, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . An antimicrobial composition for application on a raw meat or poultry product comprising:
 (a) about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % octanoic acid;   (b) an acidulant selected from the group consisting of citric acid, phosphoric acid and mixtures thereof;   (c) a buffer selected from the group consisting of a citrate salt, a phosphate salt, and mixtures thereof;   (d) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of a sulfonate, an alkyl polyglucoside, and mixtures thereof;   (e) a flavoring aid selected from the group consisting of a marinade, a tenderizer, a spice, and mixtures thereof;   (f) an optional coupling agent; and   (g) an optional film-forming agent   
       wherein the composition is considered GRAS or food additive and the composition is adapted to remain on the food product. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the octanoic acid is an ester or salt of octanoic acid. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling agent is a sorbitan ester. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is a concentrate composition. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is a ready-to-use composition. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 13 , further comprising additional functional ingredients. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the additional functional ingredients are selected from the group consisting of oxidizers, carriers, chelating agents, hydrotropes, thickening agents, gelling agents, foaming agents, potentiators, fragrance, dye, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         24 . An antimicrobial composition for application on a food product consisting essentially of:
 (a) about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % octanoic acid;   (b) an acidulant selected from the group consisting of citric acid, phosphoric acid and mixtures thereof;   (c) a buffer selected from the group consisting of a citrate salt, a phosphate salt, and mixtures thereof;   (d) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of a sulfonate, an alkyl polyglucoside, and mixtures thereof;   (e) a flavoring aid selected from the group consisting of a marinade, a tenderizer, a spice and mixtures thereof;   (f) an optional coupling agent; and   (g) an optional film-forming agent;   
       wherein the composition is considered GRAS or food additive. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the octanoic acid is an ester or salt of octanoic acid. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the coupling agent is a sorbitan ester. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the composition is a concentrate composition. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the composition is a ready-to-use composition. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 24 , further comprising additional functional ingredients. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the additional functional ingredients are selected from the group consisting of oxidizers, carriers, chelating agents, hydrotropes, thickening agents, gelling agents, foaming agents, potentiators, fragrance, dye, and mixtures thereof.