Immobilized lactoferrin (Im-LF) antimicrobial agents and uses thereof

• Main Author: NAIDU A. SATYANARAYAN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.05.2008
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES, AS HERBICIDES; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; CHEMISTRY; COFFEE MILLS; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; FISHING; FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BYSUBCLASSES A23B - A23J; FORESTRY; FURNITURE; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; HYGIENE; KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METALLURGY; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PEPTIDES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS; PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, OR TOILET PURPOSES; PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTSTHEREOF; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL; PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT,VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; SPICE MILLS; STORING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OFNUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES; TRANSPORTING; TRAPPING

Disclosed is a composition of matter comprising a defined dispersion of lactoferria immobilized on a naturally occuring substrate via the N-terminus region of the lactoferrin. Compositions comprising immobilized lactoferrin (Im-LF) are used in a method for reducing the microbial contamination of a composition subject to microbial contamination, which is also disclosed, and which encompasses a method for reducing the microbial contamination of a foodstuff, such as a meat product. Foodstuffs treated by the method are disclosed, including meat products. A method of inhibiting the growth and/or adhesion of a microbial species on a food-contacting surface f a material for food packaging or food handling with Im-LF is also disclosed. Food containers and food-handling implements so treated are also disclosed, as are antimicrobial cleansers, polishes, paints, sprays, soaps, or detergents containing Im-LF for applying to an inanimate surface.