Food Endolysin Composition for Clostridium Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing or reducing contamination of food and animal feed by Clostridium, particularly Clostridium perfringens, are inadequate and often compromise food quality, and there is a need for safe and effective antimicrobials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of plant-expressed endolysins, such as ZP173 and derivatives, to prevent or reduce Clostridium contamination by contacting food with a composition containing these endolysins, which are produced using plant-based expression systems and can be used in semi-purified form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sterilization methods (autoclaving, chemical sterilants) are used on medical devices, then sterilization is achieved, but heat-sensitive or moisture-sensitive components are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional thermal and chemical sterilization methods with a plasma-based sterilization system. The plasma generator creates a plasma field that penetrates packaging materials and sterilizes medical devices without requiring high heat or moisture, thus preserving heat-sensitive and moisture-sensitive components while achieving effective sterilization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If packaging is opened in a controlled environment room, then contamination is reduced, but the process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sterilization to the packaging container and medical device before sealing, creating a sterile environment within the packaging. This preliminary sterilization action eliminates the need for complex controlled environment rooms and lengthy assembly procedures, as the sterile barrier is already established before the package is sealed and transported.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a plasma-treated packaging material as an intermediary sterile barrier between the external environment and the medical device. This packaging material acts as a mediator that maintains sterility without requiring complex controlled environments, simplifying the overall process while effectively preventing contamination.
3Reliability
If medical devices are sterilized before packaging, then sterility is ensured, but heat-sensitive components are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal sterilization methods with plasma sterilization. The plasma generator produces reactive species and UV radiation that achieve sterilization through chemical and photonic mechanisms rather than thermal heating, thereby ensuring sterility assurance while avoiding thermal damage to heat-sensitive electronic components and materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The plant-expressed endolysins demonstrate high stability and bacteriolytic activity against Clostridium perfringens strains, effectively reducing contamination in food products without adversely affecting food quality.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma generator that produces plasma
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention provides a method of preventing or reducing contamination of food with Clostridium, comprising contacting said object with a composition comprising at least one endolysin active against said Clostridium.