Natamycin

Description

Natamycin (also known as pimaricin) reduced the viability of yeasts and fungi, but is not effective against bacteria. Natamycin is used as an antibiotic for treating external surfaces in veterinary and human medicine.

Application

As preservative:

• mainly to surface treatment of cheese rind against fungal growth
• also for dried and cured sausages

Gene technology

Natamycin can be prepared using biotechnology with the help of specific bacteria of the Streptomyces genus. They form fungus-like colonies and are therefore also called ray fungus.

• The utilisation of genetically modified microorganisms is possible. Whether and to what extent this is commercially applied cannot be checked in detail. .

Labelling: supplements that are prepared in closed systems with the help of genetically modified microorganisms do not have to be labelled as such, providing that the specific component is purified and does not contain any microorganisms.

It is also not necessary to label the supplement if the microorganisms employed were supplied with substrates obtained from genetically modified plants.