GUARDIAN™ & NovaGARD™ antimicrobial systems

GUARDIAN™ NR systems are patented and complete natural solutions based on the synergy between nisin and rosemary extract. We have patented our discovery that nisin activity is further enhanced by the synergistic effect of a deodorised natural antioxidant such as rosemary extract that increases the ability of GUARDIAN™ systems to kill Gram-positive bacteria and control their growth. Rosemary extract delays also the oxidative rancidity of fats and preserves the freshness of the foodstuff.

NovaGARD™ systems are complete systems combining antimicrobials and known chemicals such as organic acids and their salts, which also increase their ability to kill Gram-positive bacteria and control their growth.

The key benefits for customers and end consumers of using GUARDIAN™ and NovaGARD™ systems are:

• food safety improvement by killing and/or delaying growth of Gram-positive pathogens
• shelf life extension or maintenance by delaying Gram-positive spoilage growth
• maintenance of freshness during shelf life by reducing fat oxidation with GUARDIAN™

Additional specific customer benefits besides food safety and food preservation may be:

• more flexible formulation and expanded market areas due to maintenance of packaged freshness
• label-friendly solution in some countries (see local regulations)
• broader customer base
• little or no influence on taste, flavour and colour of foods
• reduction of supply chain and distribution costs
• replacement of chemical preservatives by a natural and safe solution

How to choose the best adapted system?

	GUARDIAN™ NR 100	GUARDIAN™ NR 250	NovaGARD™ CB1
Functionality	Against Gram-positive bacteria Growth inhibition of Bacillus Growth delay of Listeria Delay of oxidative rancidity	Against Gram-positive bacteria Listeria inhibition Growth delay of spoilage such as lactic bacteria Delay of oxidative rancidity	Against Gram-positive bacteria Growth delay of Listeria, Clostridium, Bacillus, heterofermentative lactic bacteria
Application	Culinary products such as pasteurised soups & sauces, low pH sauces & marinades, RTE foods	Heat-processed meat products such as cooked sausages (hot dogs, Frankfurters) and cooked hams	Deli salads (chicken, tuna, seafood, coleslaw, egg), mashed potatoes, meat broth soups, sauces, salad dressings, RTE meals

Main applications

• soups, sauces
• cooked sausages
• salad dressings
• deli salads

Regulator approval of GUARDIAN™ and NovaGARD™

• local regulations should always be consulted concerning the status of these products, as legislation regarding its use in food may vary from country to country
• NovaGARD™ CB1 has been approved in the USA by USDA/FSIS as an antimicrobial system for use in meat and poultry salads, and in sauces and dressings that will be used with fully cooked meat or poultry. This is a blend of ingredients that have a long history of safe use in food. They are generally recognised as GRAS in the USA for use in selected foods including meat and poultry containing products
• GUARDIAN™ NR 250 is consistent with the general recommendations of FSIS for Alternative 1 anti-Listeria treatment. The USDA FSIS approval is for use in cooked sausages only