Food components significantly
affect the effectiveness of the antimicrobial substances and their release. Physicochemical
characteristics of food could alter the activity of antimicrobial substances.
For example, the pH of food influences the ionisation (dissociation/association) of
most active chemicals, and could change the antimicrobial activity of organic acids
and their salts. The antimicrobial activity and chemical stability of incorporated active
substances could be influenced also by the water activity of food. Moreover, each food
has its own characteristic microflora. The release kinetics of antimicrobial agents has
to be designed to maintain the concentration above the critical inhibitory concentration