ABSTRACT
In general, preservation utilizes chemicals to prevent product deterioration due to microbial growth, and many chemicals are approved for this application. However, in recent years, the general public has started to express concerns about the excessive use of chemicals in the products they use, and this is driving formulators to consider the use of more natural raw materials and alternative approaches to preservation. Natural raw materials often make formulations more prone to microbial spoilage, making the formulator’s job more difficult. As discussed in Chapter 11, alternative methods of preservation, including lowering the pH, decreasing water activity, and heating (sterilization and pasteurization), have been common place in the food, drug, and cosmetic industries for many years. Another approach is to minimize the potential for microbial contamination through packaging that limits contact with the bulk of the formulation.
