2015-037 - Bacteriophages to control Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli

• Effective either singly or in combination against multiple strains of STECs

• High lytic activity across multiple STEC strains

• Long shelf life

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."
 

Technology Summary

Researchers at Oklahoma State University have 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. Researchers have 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.

Benefits

• Thermostable
• Ph stable
• Storage stable at -80, -20 and 4 degrees
• Strong inhibition of STECs
• High lytic activity
• Can reduce biofilm formation

Market Application

• Food equipment sterilization
• Food sterilization
• Natural food preservative
• Medical industry

Other

Proof of concept.