PhageGuard contributes to safer food production by using phages. As the natural enemy of bacteria, phages specifically kill pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria, and leave the good ones intact. They are green, smart and easy to apply on food via spraying, misting or dipping. Phages can also be used directly on food contact surfaces or in the processing environment. Using PhageGuard as a surface intervention to enhance consumer safety.
How Phages work
Phages are abundant in the natural world, occurring in seawater, soil, and in humans. They are the natural enemy of bacteria and can help us to control dangerous pathogens.
Phage technology – The basics and how we can benefit!
Phages are a part of everyday life without most of us knowing it. They are the most abundant organism on our planet. They have been around for millions of years. How can we make use of nature’s solution against harmful bacteria?
This video was made possible by the Bill & Melinda gates foundation.
Created with scientific advice and editing by James Gurney.
Credits Kurzgesagt
PHAGE FACTS
- They are the most abundant microorganisms on the planet
- Every 48 hours 50% of the entire global bacterial population is replaced by phages
- Human gut contains one million billion phages (10E15)
- One ml seawater contains one billion phages
- Phages are 100 times smaller than bacteria
- We can not see them under a normal microscope, yet their collective biomass is larger that that of all humans
- PhageGuard is powered by the natural enemies of bacteria – organic phages.
Food Applications
Phages are proven to be highly effective in killing specific bad bacteria responsible for many of the recurring outbreaks of foodborne illness in the U.S. and around the world.
That kind of specific targeting allows food processors to eliminate Salmonella and Listeria while preserving bacteria beneficial to human health without altering the taste, color, texture or aroma of meats, cheeses or vegetables.
Human Health
Scientists have known about and studied phages for more than a century. In addition to food safety, phages have been used for decades in medicine to fight infections resistant to antibiotics.
In fact, because drug resistance is an increasingly pressing issue, new therapies with their roots in phage technology have become increasingly important in the field of medical science.
Animal Health
The overuse of antibiotics in livestock is endangering the availability of antibiotics for humans. Phage based solutions are being develop and tested which can replace these antibiotics in different areas. Feeding phages to live animals can steer and control the gut flora. This will prevent animals from getting sick and reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics.
Crop Protection
Phages are essential for life on earth, killing roughly half of all bacteria every two days. They are the most common micro organisms on our planet, present in abundance on our food, skin, in our gut, etc.
Pesticides are widely used in agriculture to control bacterial destruction of fruits and vegetables. Fire blight and potato rot for example can devastate and diminish the harvest. Bacterial resistance to pesticides and the pesticide trap which results in diminishing returns as use is increased time and again, is a trend we need to turn. Phages are being investigated and tested as an alternative natural intervention.
Future Applications
Anywhere specific bacteria pose a problem for society, this platform technology provides new opportunities. Examples are fermentation processes and blue-green algea surface water contamination.
Benefits of PhageGuard
- PhageGuard is easy to apply to food via spraying, misting, or dipping. There is no effect on taste, color, or smell so there is no need for product reformulation. As a processing aid, it does not require labeling.
- The PhageGuard products have a strong science base. From the fundamental research at the world leading Swiss University ETH to the applied science at point of use, our knowledge and expertise is second to none. We know how phage work and how they can work for you. They are highly efficacious and cost-effective.
- We firmly believe that nature itself provides the solutions for modern day challenges. PhageGuard is the result of that belief: an effective organic solution to make food safer.
Different types of PhageGuard
PhageGuard Listex – 100 percent natural and organic, PhageGuard Listex is an FDA-approved organic solution that specifically combats Listeria.
PhageGuard Salmonella – A 100 percent natural and organic solution, PhageGuard S is FDA-approved to specifically combat Salmonella.
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