Consumption habits have changed considerably in recent years. Today, a large part of consumers tries to know the composition of the foods that they incorporate into their diet. There is a tendency to positively value those products that are considered healthy and wholesome.
However, there is still a certain lack of knowledge regarding the usefulness and functionality of most additives and preservatives in foods. Some of the Monte Turia sweets, in addition to being made with the highest quality ingredients and the best flour, also contain preservatives, among these, several of natural origin.
Effects of preservatives in food
The preservative is an additivethat is added to a wide variety of foods. Its purpose is to prevent their premature deterioration and extend their durability. 139/5000 It allows the consumer to store food for a longer period of time, facilitating both its marketing and distribution.
Food preservatives are vitalto maintain and prolong the freshness of these products, as well as their taste and appearance. Without them many of these foods would be affected by microorganisms such as bacteria or mold, resulting in an inconvenience for their consumption.
The artisan industrial pastry is no stranger to the use of preservatives in food. Muchos de nuestros productos contienen conservantes para repostería y pastelería, si bien existe la preferencia de utilizar solo aquellos que son más saludables.
Sorbic Acid in food, a preservative with antimicrobial function
Sorbic acid is a synthetic preservative obtained by chemical processes or naturally through the berries of the Sorbus Aucuparia tree.
Its antimicrobial function inhibits the growth of yeasts, fungi and some bacteria. One of its main characteristics is that it manages to increase the life of food.
Other foods with sorbic acid are cheeses or pickles. Some of the Monte Turia products have among their ingredients this antimicrobial preservative, such as the chocolate Chokis or the Coquitos.
Potassium sorbate, a less toxic preservative than salt
Potassium sorbate is part of the mineral salts of sorbic acid itself and is among the list of bacteriostatic preservatives. It is one of the mildest preservatives and is currently one of those patched by the World Health Organization. Knowing how to use potassium sorbate in pastry and confectionery is a relevant question.
It is presented as an antifungal agent and as an antimicrobial preservative, preventing and minimizing the development of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, mold or fungi.
One of the greatest virtues of potassium sorbate is that it manages to preserve the flavor, color, texture and nutritional value of food. It has a variety of uses, including some cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.
One of the Monte Turia products that contains potassium sorbate, in amounts lower than those allowed by regulations, are coquitos, a small sweet with a sweet coconut flavor and that stands out for its tender texture.
Natural preservatives for food
There are some natural preservatives that have not been obtained through chemical processes. The same sorbic acid, to which we have previously referred, can be extracted from the fruit of a tree.
Within this category of preservatives, perhaps the best known and currently used is salt. Salt is the first preservative used in human history and its use dates back practically to the beginning of humanity.
Salt as a preservative is also widely used in the food industry. Some of the Monte Turia sweets such as rosegones and whole-grain curls contain salt, an ingredient that helps preserve these sweets. Salt, used in meat products, acts as a dehydrating agent and works as the perfect protector against molds and bacteria, through a process known as osmosis.
Another natural preservative is sugar. A component that is ideal for absorbing moisture from food and preventing the growth of bacteria.
The acetic acid in vinegar, due to its ability to kill bacteria or honey, whose high concentration of sugar is used in jams and other products to prevent the growth of bacteria, are other examples of preservatives of natural origin.
Finally, there are also some plants such as rosemary, for its antioxidant capacity, or thyme and sage, both with antimicrobial properties that can be considered part of this type of preservative.
At a time when consumers are looking for the right diet, knowing what food preservatives are can help us select the products that we introduce into our shopping cart. We hope this article has helped you.
