Bacteriophages

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Bacteriophages to Control Shigatoxigenic Escherichia Coli Track Code    2015-037 Tags   animal science Posted Date    Sep 21, 2016 11:50 AM Researcher Divya Jaroni Pushpinder Litt Background Shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) is a major contributor to one in six Americans becoming sick due to a foodborne illness each year. Current methods often employ harsh chemical interventions to reduce STECs and are not optimally effective. From 2009-2013, 35% of 75 foodborne illness outbreaks in ground beef were due to STECs. Clearly there is a need for novel methods to further reduce STEC outbreaks and illness effectively. Summary Divya Jaroni Ph.D., at Oklahoma State University has developed a system to identify novel bacteriophage that are effective either singly or in combination against multiple strains of STECs, including O157, O45, O121, O145, O111 and O26. Dr. Jaroni has already isolated phages that have high lytic activity across multiple STEC strains, and are thermostable, pH stable and have a long shelf life. This technology will provide a natural and safe alternative to current industry-pathogen-control-strategies. Potential Applications Food equipment sterilization Food sterilization Natural food preservative Medical industry Main Advantages Thermostable Ph stable Storage stable at -80, -20 and 4 degrees Strong inhibition of STECs High lytic activity Can reduce biofilm formation Stage of Development Proof of concept.