Developed by researchers at McMaster University, the spray makes use of bacteriophages – harmless viruses that eat bacteria – which link together and form microscopic beads.
Those beads can then be applied to food and other materials to rid them of harmful pathogens such as E. coli 0157. Each bead is about 20 microns, (one 50th of a millimetre) in diameter and is loaded with millions of phages.
“When we spray it on food, we basically gather billions of mini-soldiers to protect our food from bacterial contamination,” said researcher Shadman Khan.
“They link together like microscopic Lego pieces. This organised natural structure makes them much more durable and easier to package, store and use.”
Before the introduction of penicillin in the 1940s, research into phage disinfectants and therapies had been very promising, but interest in developing their potential dimmed once antibiotics made from penicillin came onto the market. With antimicrobial resistance...