Bacteriophage treatment for reducing and preventing bacterial contamination
US10188121B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23V2002/00
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system and method for reducing or preventing bacterial contamination in food includes application of a bacteriophage treatment to any type of food product at any stage of processing the food product. The bacteriophage treatment may also be applied to non-food surfaces and water systems, which may be susceptible to bacterial contamination and subsequent spread of bacteria. The bacteriophage treatment comprises at least one bacteriophage in a concentration sufficient to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination from pathogenic bacteria and/or spoilage bacteria. In some embodiments, the bacteriophage is able to reduce or eliminate bacteria introduced to a food product after the bacteriophage treatment was applied to the food product. In some embodiments, the bacteriophage treatment includes a buffering agent to maintain the bacteriophage at a pH level that sustains the bacteriophage. In some embodiments, the bacteriophage treatment includes a surfactant and/or a thickener to aid in applying the bacteriophage. Additional adjuvants and enhancers may be used in some embodiments to stabilize the bacteriophage or enhance its performance as an antibacterial agent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.