Arjuna Natural Extracts preservative to enhance shelf-life of chilled-meat

India-based Arjuna Natural Extracts has introduced X-tend, a formulation-specific preservative designed to increase chilled-meat product shelf-life and ensure food safety.

Synthetic preservatives are usually used in chilled meats that contain nitrates. These can generate nitrosamines, which are suspected of increasing cancer risk.

Formed from myoglobin and nitric oxide during curing, nitrosomyoglobin is accountable for the red colour in cured meats associated with freshness.

The company claims that X-tend can replace chemical nitrosomyoglobin-forming preservatives, but is non-carcinogenic and safe to use in chilled meat.

The company further added that its formulation-specific preservative prevents the growth of yeast and mould in chilled meat.

Arjuna joint managing director Benny Antony said: "We conducted a number of bench trials to measure how X-tend performs in chilled meat preservation.

"The excellent results encouraged us to offer this new, powerful natural preservative formulation to meat manufacturers. It's a new, clean way of preservation that also can help differentiate cured meat products in the marketplace."

Botanical extracts producer further explained that the major challenge in replacing synthetic preservatives was flavour masking (blocking unwanted or undesired flavours), as well as creating a right functional mix of natural ingredients to combat a range of microbial activities.

Antony further added: "Today's meat industries are increasingly seeking more ready-to-use solutions that are tailored and natural, allowing for clean label products.

"X-tend is offered in both liquid and powder forms. It is a comprehensive, natural solution safeguarding taste, colour, product safety, and increased shelf-life.

The company says that its advanced X-tend formulation provides a natural solution for a wide range of issues related to chilled meat products and can retain natural colour and freshness, as well as extends chilled meat shelf life by up to 15 days.

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Image: Arjuna Natural Extracts introduced X-tend, a formulation-specific preservative. Photo: courtesy of Arjuna Natural Extracts.