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Intralytix, a Maryland-based biotechnology firm, had received FDA approval for a product, ListShield, that is proven effective in eliminating Listeria monocytogenes bacteria using a preparation containing six listeria-specific bacteriophages. The product is an aqueous solution that is sprayed directly onto food or surfaces used in food production. It is odorless and tasteless.

Intralytix is a biotechnology company based in Baltimore, Maryland. Intralytix specializes in bacteriophage-based products used to control bacterial pathogens in environmental, food processing, and medical settings.

ListShield

ListShield is an Intralytix product that is applied to food for the prevention of listeriosis by killing strains of food-borne pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

Listeriosis is a serious disease with a high rate of mortality in susceptible individuals. It is almost exclusively contracted by consuming contaminated food. Since the L. monocytogenes bacteria are ubiquitous in nature, even the most thorough hygiene concepts fail to guarantee that food products are free of listeria.

Bacteriophages are among the best studied organisms in the natural world. This is because their molecular biology is relatively simple. Many molecular principles were first studied in bacteriophages prior to being found in higher organisms. Bacteriophages are ubiquitous. High numbers can be found in seawater and also in fermented foods such as yogurt or cheese. Bacteriophages are extremely specific in the bacteria they recognize. The recognition is often limited to specific strains of one species, in rare cases several strains of the same species or genus are recognized. With this fact in mind their potential in fighting unwanted bacteria has recently received increased attention.

ListShield is aqueous, phage preparation containing six listeria-specific bacteriophages designed to attack a very broad spectrum of Listeria monocytogenes strains.

FDA And EPA Approval

In August of 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Intralytix's ListShield for direct application on foods. It was also awarded Environmental Protection Agency approval for environmental uses, as a method decontaminating non-food contact surfaces in food processing facilities.

This mixture is sprayed on food or surfaces related to food production. If listeria is present in the food, the bacteria will be infected by the bacteriophages. This results in replication inside the bacteria, ultimately ending in the bacteria being killed. It does not alter the general composition, taste, aroma, or color of foods. Field trials demonstrated the solution to be 100% effective in the elimination of listeria monocytogenes.

External Links

Intralytix website.