A bacteria-killing protein that would be applied to raw meat during processing
to significantly reduce the presence of E.coli is under development, said one
company behind the project.
US-based Ecolab Inc announced it has joined forces with AvidBiotics Corps to
commericalise its proprietary protein-based antibacterial technology, which can
be targeted against specific bacterial pathogens. The firm said that while the
technology could be applied to a number of food pathogens, its initial target
market would be E.coli in red meat for the processing sector which was seen as
a high priority.
The initiative will seek to develop a product that could be applied directly
onto raw meat surfaces as a fine coating or mist during processing, an Ecolab
spokeswoman told FoodProductionDaily.com.
She added: The antimicrobial protein in the product kills E. coli O157:H7
during processing and has no effect in the final product. The antimicrobial
protein binds specifically to E. coli O157:H7 and kills this pathogen by
puncturing its cell wall.
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