Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center
Dept. 3672
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2520
Fax: (307) 766-2530
Email: WyomingInvents@uwyo.edu
Researchers at the University of Wyoming have discovered an enzyme that may combat a harmful foodborne pathogen. Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that is present all over the world. This pathogen forms a toxic biofilm on food products, food-processing equipment, and storage facilities. When consumed with food, L. monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a severe disease that is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, the elderly, and infants.
L. monocytogenes, along with other types of bacteria form exopolysaccharide-rich aggregates, or biofilms, that pose formidable challenges in medicine and industry because of their resistance to antibiotics, disinfectants, desiccation and other treatments. It has been discovered that L. monocytogenes produces an N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) based exopolysaccharide that protects it against desiccation and commonly used disinfectants, including bleach and hydrogen peroxide.
University of Wyoming researchers have discovered a L. monocytogenes enzyme, designated PssZ, that has been shown to efficiently degrade listerial exoplysaccharide biofilms. PssZ can be purified from E. coli and is the first enzyme known to degrade listerial exopolysaccharid biofilms
Toxic listerial biofilms can be eliminated or prevented with the addition of the PssZ enzyme to listeria containing food, equipment, or storage spaces. The enzyme can be used separately or in combination with other disinfectants, to efficiently disintegrate toxic biofilms. PssZ may also be used as a food additive to prevent formation of toxic biofilms in foods prone to contamination by L. monocytogenes or other pathogenic bacteria producing ManNAc-based exopolysaccharides.
The PssZ enzyme is shown to degrade listerial exopolysaccharide aggregation and reduce the spread of foodborne listeria
PssZ can be used separately or in combination with other disinfectants
The enzyme is predicted to be safe for consumption if used as a food additive
Downloadable PDF: 15-027
Patent Pending
University of Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center
Dept. 3672
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY
82071
Phone: 307-766-2520
Fax: 307-766-2530
Email: WyomingInvents@uwyo.edu
Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center
Dept. 3672
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2520
Fax: (307) 766-2530
Email: WyomingInvents@uwyo.edu