AgPOLYMER^® is the last advanced generation of Cheese Coating (cheese protective covering), whose active principle is the silver ion zeolite (no nanoparticles) incorporated into the polymer. (Patent EU 1922936)

Antimicrobials are natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic substances, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or spore fungi. The antimicrobial effectiveness depends on different parameters such as substrate concentration, temperature, pH, substrate typology, type of bacteria “to be fought”, besides moisture and oxygen.
Antimicrobials are used to keep the cheese surface clean, they destroy bacteria and/or spore fungi, in general they protect from pathogenic bacteria such as listeria (dangerous for humans), which is present in some cheese rinds.

A first great subdivision may be done between organic and inorganic bactericides as those based on Silver Ions. Silver has been recognized for its antimicrobial properties for a long time.

Silver ions are absorbed by bacterial charges, which destroy the cell walls, inhibiting the reproduction and stopping their metabolism.
Silver ions destroy the microorganisms immediately, stopping their enzymatic respiratory system (that is the energy production) and modifying the microbial DNA and the cell wall.
They do not have toxic effects on human cells in vivo.

In medicine the use of silver ions as antimicrobic/anti-inflammatory to treat burns and baby eye infection has been a consolidated practice for a long time.

Silver is also used in the aerospace field; actually NASA uses silver to preserve the water naturalness in the Space Shuttle.

Silver Troughout History

4000 B.C.E. – Egyptians line water cisterns with Silver as a way to reduce illness caused by contaminated drinking water.

1200 – Phoenicians use silver-lined containers during long sea voyages to maintain water purity.

78 C.E - Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, describes silver’s haling properties in wound care.

700’s – Chinese emperors use silver utensils to prevent the transmission of disease.

980 – Avicenna, an Islamic Philosopher and physician, uses silver pills and filings as a blood purifier.

1000 – The Vatican decrees the communion chalices should be made of silver to reduce the spread of deisease between parishioners and priests.

1350’s – Wealthy families in Europe use silver utensils and plates to protect themselves from plague.

1819 – Silver first used as an ingredient in dental amalgams (fillings)

1850’s – Pioneers place silver coins in water and milk to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.

1881 – Carl Crede, a German obstetrician, pioneers the use of silver nitrate drops in the eyes of newborns to prevent eye infections.

1893 – Karl Wilhelm von Nageli, a Swiss botanist, publishes research demonstrating silver’s antibacterial properties.

1900’s – Numerous silver-based medical products appear on the market, including Argyrol – a silver-based antibiotic.

1960’s – NASA uses silver to purify water on spacecrafts.

1970’s - Silver becomes commonly used as a topical ointment for wound and burn care.