An antimicrobial cocktail consisting of phages and the bacteriocin, nisin, may prove effective at decontaminating fresh-cut produce say researchers from Maryland and West Virginia. Their findings appear in the August 2003 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Although the fresh-cut produce industry provides easily accessible and nutritious foods, consumers are more likely to contract illnesses associated with foodborne pathogens due to nutrients on cut surfaces and excessive handling. Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium commonly found in fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, is believed to be the cause of many severe foodborne outbreaks.
In the study, honeydew melons and apples were artificially contaminated with L. monocytogenes and treated with lytic, L. monocytogenes-specific phages alone and in combination with the bacteriocin, nisin. Results showed that the phage cocktail independent of ,and in conjunction with nisin, reduced L. monocytogenes contamination on fresh-cut produce.
"Phage and nisin applications reduce pathogenic bacterial contamination and growth on produce, and when implemented can contribute to the microbial safety of fruits and vegetables."
(B. Leverentz, W.S. Conway, M.J. Camp, W.J. Janiesiewicz, T. Abuladze, M. Yang, R. Saftner, A. Sulakvelidze. 2003. Biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut produce by treatment with lytic bacteriophages and a bacteriocin. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69. 8: 4519-4526.)
NASAL VACCINE MAY INCREASE PROTECTION AGAINST RESPIRATORY DISEASE
A vaccine administered through the nasal passages may increase protection against pneumococcal disease compared to the current vaccine, say researchers from Albany Medical College in New York and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Their findings appear in the August 2003 issue of the
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Contact: Jim Sliwa
jsliwa@asmusa.org
202-942-9297
American Society for Microbiology
15-Aug-2003