Researchers from the Canadian University of McMaster received the first successful version of the antibacterial spray based on bacteriophages. These are special viruses that selectively destroy certain types of bacteria and do not affect the rest of the microorganisms. Scientists want to create universal reorganization means on their basis, both for disinfection of food and processing open wounds in medicine.
Bacteriophages most effectively perform their task in groups, but the point here is not in quantity, but in their property to form nanophilaments. In such a structure, viruses cling to each other, like the details of the children’s designer, forming strong threads intertwined. Filaments are immersed in capacitance-spheres from glutarine aldehyde, the diameter of each such container reaches 20 microns, and inside can be transported up to 0.5 million. viruses.
In the first experiment, the researchers made a spray from viruses that attack the E. coli. They deliberately took the already wilted leaves of the salad and pieces of meat with this bacterium, after which they treated their surface with a spray. Nine hours later there was no trace of the intestinal wand on the products, they again became suitable for food. Now scientists are going to create other spray options to combat salmonella and listeria.
Source — McMaster University