Polylysine
Polylysine is the general product name for the epsilon-poly-L-lysine family of bio-preservatives derived from Streptomyces albulus fermentation. It covers the free-base powder, the aqueous solution, and the hydrochloride salt formats sold for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical use.
The molecule carries CAS number 25988-63-0 in its generic free-base poly-L-lysine form. As a cationic peptide polymer it acts as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial against bacteria, yeasts, and moulds in food systems.
We source bulk Polylysine from top China manufacturers for our partners, working with several of them. The manufacturers are in Henan, Shandong and Zhejiang. A smaller requirement can ship in a combined container with other ingredients.
Please send the grade you need, the volume and your destination port, and we will come back with a solution and a price.
or call +86-21-6858 0751
- Packaging
- 25 kg kraft paper bag with PE inner liner
- ISO 9001
- HACCP
- Halal
- Kosher
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Polylysine Content | ≥ 95.0% (dry basis) |
| Molecular Weight | 1,000–300,000 Da (grade-dependent) |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 8.0% |
| pH (1% solution) | 7.0–11.0 |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 5.0% |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Lead (as Pb) | ≤ 2 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (as As) | ≤ 1 mg/kg |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1,000 CFU/g |
| E. coli | Negative/g |
| Salmonella | Negative/25g |
| Purity/Assay | ≥ 98% |
| Moisture/Loss on Drying | ≤ 8% |
| Particle Size/Mesh | ≥ 100 mesh |
| Ash | ≤ 5% |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 100 cfu/g |
Common Markets Grades
Three primary formats of polylysine reach the market, matched to application needs.
The free-base powder at 95 percent purity is the standard choice for dry blending and solid food matrices. The 50 percent aqueous solution is produced for direct dosing into liquid food systems and for cosmetic emulsion preservation.
The hydrochloride salt form, sold separately as Polylysine HCl, is preferred where higher water solubility, improved stability, and easier handling are needed.
All grades are pale yellow to off-white in colour with a slight characteristic odour from residual fermentation organics. Specifications are based on assay by ultraviolet absorption or by total-nitrogen analysis.
Applications
- Cooked rice, sushi rice, and pre-packed rice meals to suppress Bacillus cereus outgrowth
- Boiled noodles, udon, ramen, and pasta salads for chilled retail
- Sandwich fillings, mayonnaise dressings, and prepared deli salads
- Bento box composite meals and chilled ready-to-eat meals
- Soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas, and low-acid juices
- Plant-based dairy alternatives such as soy and oat drinks where the matrix allows
- Pet food, semi-moist treats, and dental chews
- Cosmetic preservation in shampoos, cream rinses, and emulsions
- Edible coatings for fresh-cut produce when combined with other film-formers
- Hand sanitiser and household-surface cleaners
- Dental products such as mouthwash and toothpaste
- Custom preservative blends combining polylysine with nisin or natamycin
China Manufacturers of Polylysine
Top Polylysine manufacturers in China.
Chihon Biotechnology Co., Ltd.8 ingredients in the directory- Xinxiang Tianyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd.10 ingredients in the directory
Yota Bio-engineering Co., Ltd.10 ingredients in the directory
Zhejiang Silver Elephant Bioengineering Co., Ltd.12 ingredients in the directory
Zhengzhou Bainafo Bioengineering Co., Ltd.8 ingredients in the directory
Company names and logos are the property of the manufacturers themselves. They are listed here because our own directory records them as producing this ingredient. A listing is not an endorsement by them, and we do not represent them or speak on their behalf.
How We Help Source Polylysine
Direct Factory Sourcing
We run the whole process: selecting the manufacturer from the top Chinese food ingredient producers, negotiating the price, verifying quality, and coordinating the logistics. You deal with us instead of with several factories at once.
Original Packaging and Documents from the Manufacturer
The manufacturer sends your Polylysine out of its own factory in the original packing, through to your destination port. The COA, COO, MSDS, TDS and any certifications reach you from the manufacturer as well.
Free Samples and Lead Time
We send 100 to 500 g free for your own laboratory to test and you cover only the courier, usually within 2 to 3 working days. ETD is usually within 7 to 15 days once the order is confirmed, and we check that date against the factory's own manufacturing schedule before we give it to you.
Combined Shipment
We can load Polylysine together with other ingredients such as Calcium Propionate, Sodium Diacetate and Sodium Propionate into one 20' FCL. If your quantity is small, we can also ship LCL.
Regulatory Status
The polylysine product family holds GRAS status in the United States, with the original GRAS Notice GRN 135 accepted in 2003 covering cooked rice and sushi rice at up to 50 mg per kg. Subsequent GRAS notices have widened the permitted use into additional categories including pasta, soups, sauces, dressings, and ready meals.
In Japan, polylysine has been approved as a food preservative since 1989 and is the largest single market for the polymer.
In the European Union the substance is not currently authorised as a food additive under Regulation 1333/2008. A petition has been under evaluation but the substance is not presently permitted in EU food applications.
Halal and Kosher certifications are routinely available. The product is also permitted for food use in China, South Korea, and a number of other Asian and Latin American markets.
Manufacturing Process
Polylysine is produced by submerged aerobic fermentation of Streptomyces albulus on a glucose and ammonium-sulphate medium.
Fermentation is held at low pH because the producer organism only secretes the polymer when conditions are acidic. The acid trigger was central to the original Japanese discovery work in the late 1970s and is still used to drive yields in modern industrial fermenters.
Downstream processing relies on cation-exchange resin to capture the positively charged polymer from the cell-free broth. The polymer is then eluted with dilute acid or salt, concentrated, decolourised, and spray-dried.
For the hydrochloride salt form, an acid neutralisation step is added before spray-drying. The free-base and salt forms are otherwise produced from the same starting fermentation broth.
