‹ Ingredient libraryANCESTOR

PRESERVATIVE

Natamycin

What it is

An antifungal or antibacterial borrowed from microbiology to keep shredded cheese loose in the bag.

Why your biology objects

Nisin is a bacteriocin (a peptide one microbe makes to kill others) and natamycin a fungal-derived antifungal — both effective and low-dose. The concern is subtler: routine antimicrobial use in food and possible cross-resistance. Block cheese with one ingredient doesn't need it.

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