Natural preservatives from bacteria, plants and animals
currently in use in fresh sausage manufacture were investigated.
Bacteriocins and organic acids from bacterial origins
showed good antimicrobial activities against pathogens.
Plant-derived antimicrobials could increase the shelf-life of
fresh sausages and in some cases also decrease lipid oxidation
and decrease colour loss. Chitosan was the only animalderived
antimicrobial investigated and also increased shelf
life of fresh sausages. It was evident that the natural antimicrobials
would perform even better in combination with other
natural antimicrobials, or lowered levels of synthetic antimicrobials
or other hurdles such as specific packaging material.