CytoGUARD Antimicrobials Can Reduce the Threat of Pathogens Such as Salmonella

A&B Ingredients' Antimicrobial Able To Achieve 99.99% Reduction

Fairfield, NJ, August 18, 2015 -- The recent recall notice by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of 1,978,680 pounds of frozen, raw, stuffed, and breaded chicken products once again sheds light on the continuing problem of food safety facing the meat and poultry industry, notes A&B Ingredients' Managing Director Gil Bakal. The recall is a result of suspected contamination by Salmonella Enteritidis.

He points out that while America's food supply is one of the safest in the world, the FDA still estimates that there are about 48 million reported cases of foodborne illnesses each year. "That equates of 1 in 6 individuals who are affected by some form of foodborne illness each year." The FDA estimates that there are 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.

"We know that for the most part, foodborne illnesses are a direct result of eating foods that are contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Lauric Arginate antimicrobials, such as our CytoGuard® LA, can reduce the threat of pathogens such as Salmonella by significantly reducing bacterial levels through disruption of the cell membranes of the microbes," says Bakal.

According to Bakal, what makes CytoGUARD so unique is its efficacy in reducing pathogens while having a low toxicity, clean-label antimicrobials are highly effective against a range of pathogens, including Salmonella in Raw Chicken profile. "The antimicrobial properties of CytoGUARD are derived from its action on the cytoplasmic membranes of the microorganisms. CytoGuard causes a disruption or instability of the plasma membrane lipid bilayer, altering the metabolic process and detaining the cellular cycle," he says.

A&B Ingredients recently announced that its CytoGUARD line of clean-label antimicrobials is now able to achieve a 4-log reduction in reducing pathogens, including Salmonella.

"Since the introduction of our CytoGUARD line of clean-label antimicrobials, we have continued to make significant strides in improving its effectiveness in combating pathogens. We were extremely pleased to report that the results of our most recent challenging tests have yielded a 4 log reduction, or 99.99%, in reducing Salmonella in raw chicken parts. This is a major step forward in assisting meat and poultry manufacturers to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses."

The A&B Managing Director points out that CytoGuard is a clean label solution that is particularly effective not only against Salmonella and Listeria but Campylobacter, E. Coli, yeast, molds, and Lactobacillus as well.

Among the benefits of CytoGUARD are:

• Broad-spectrum of the antimicrobial efficacy
• High partition coefficient (>10), means the product concentrates in the water phase of products, where most bacterial action occurs
• Activity over a wide pH range (3 to 7)
• Clean label declaration
• Generally regarded as safe
• Stable up to one year
• Stable in pH ranges 3-9
• A clear flavorless liquid that will not affect the appearance or flavor of food products