CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure relates to the use of bacillus strains to inhibit the growth, reproduction or propagation of foodborne pathogens to improve food safety and reduce incidents of disease such as gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Foodborne disease caused by contamination from pathogenic bacteria is likely responsible for millions of illnesses annually (at least about 8 million in the United States of America annually according to CDC 20 1 estimates), thousands of which result in hospitalization annually, and about 000 fatalities annually. Foodborne disease generally occurs with at least a similar frequency throughout the world and is the leading cause of illness and death in certain parts of the world.

[0004] Known antibacterial agents such as alcohols, chlorine, peroxides, aldehydes, triclosan, triclocarban, and benzalkonium chloride are unsuitable for use in foods due to their inherent toxicity. Treatment with gaseous antibacterial agents (such as ozone or ethylene oxide) or irradiation (such as with ionizing radiation or x-rays) can be safe, effective and economically advantageous in certain cases, but are not favorably perceived by the public. Such techniques have also been criticized by public interest groups and public health experts for various reasons, including allegations that these techniques can mask food spoilage, discourage adherence to good food processing practices, kill beneficial bacteria (e.g., probiotics), denature or degrade nutrients, impair flavor and leave bacterial toxins that were present before the treatment.

[0005] Bacillus strains exhibiting antifungal activity and the use of such bacteria to control plant diseases are described in the literature (e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,291,426). [0006] Antibacterial activity of secondary metabolites obtained from Pseudomonas strains has been reported in the literature (e.g., E. Madhava Charyulu et al., Indian Journal of

Experimental Biology, Vol. 47, December 2009, pp. 964-968). It was proposed that such secondary metabolites could be useful in new drugs such as antimicrobial drugs.

[0007] Accordingly, new and effective methods of reducing foodborne disease are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] Disclosed is a method of inhibiting foodborne pathogens and thereby reducing foodborne disease by applying to or feeding to a living animal, an animal carcass or to cuts of meat an effective amount of a bacillus strain exhibiting antibacterial activity.

[0009] Also disclosed are specific strains of antibacterial bacilli that are particularly effective at inhibiting Vibrio. These include Bacillus licheniformis OBT 712, characterized by the sequence shown in Figure 1 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciem OBT 618, characterized by the sequence shown in Figure 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) is the relevant sequence for Bacillus licheniformis

OBT 712.

[0011] Figure 2 (SEQ ID NO: 2) is the relevant sequence listing for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens OBT 618.

[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the preparation of an antibacterial bacillus strain isolate.

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a process for screening isolates that are antagonistic toward an isolate of Vibrio sp. selected from a marine environment using an agar overlay method.

[0014] Figure 5 is a photograph showing a comparison of a positive ("+") result for

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens OBT 12 to a negative ("-") control. DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] It has been discovered that foodborne pathogens can be inhibited when contacted with an effective amount of a bacillus strain exhibiting antibacterial activity.

[0016] The term "inhibit" means to reduce or arrest growth and/or reproduction of bacterial pathogens that can cause foodborne diseases, and encompasses killing such bacterial pathogens.

[0017] The term "effective amount" means an amount that will achieve a desired level of foodborne pathogen inhibition to effect a beneficial result such as reducing bacterial pathogen populations in or on food, or in or on animals that are processed into foods.

[0018] Foodborne pathogens that can be inhibited include Salmonella enteric,

Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile and Vibrio.

[0019] Bacillus strains exhibiting antibacterial activity include Bacillus licheniformis strains (e.g., OBT 712), and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains (e.g., OBT 618). The relevant sequence listings for Bacillus licheniformis OBT 712 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens OBT 618 are shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively.

[0020] The step of contacting the foodborne pathogens with a bacillus strain exhibiting antibacterial activity can involve application of an aqueous based composition containing the antibacterial bacillus strain to a live animal, a dressed carcass or cuts of meat, such as by spraying, brushing or dipping. In the case of aquatic animals, the antibacterial bacillus strain can be added to a container, tank or enclosure (e.g., a fish hatchery) in which the aquatic animals are raised and/or from which they are harvested. As another alternative, contact between the bacterial pathogens and the antibacterial bacillus can be achieved by feeding the antibacterial bacillus to the animal, either directly or to animals that serve as the food source for the animal that is ultimately processed for consumption such as by a human or companion animal.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a method of preparing an antibacterial bacillus strain isolate.

Samples from marine environments were selected for spore-forming bacillus and Vibrio species. The bacillus samples were enriched, and subsequently pasteurized at about 70°C. Bacillus isolates were then placed on sporulation agar. The Vibrio was placed on thiosulfate- citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar. [0022] Figure 4 shows an assay to determine growth inhibition for the bacillus strains.

A candidate bacillus spore-former is placed on a trypticase soy agar (TSA) plate, and thereafter, Vibrio isolate embedded in top agar is disposed over the TSA plate. After a sufficient period (e.g., two days), the zones in which the candidate bacillus strains are overlaid with the Vibrio isolates are inspected for clearance of the Vibrio. Positive results are illustrated on the right side of the agar dish at Step 3 of Figure 4.

[0023] Figure 5 is a photograph showing an actual positive result labeled 'ΉΒ8(+)" and a negative result labeled "Control(-)."

[0024] Isolates were screened for antagonism toward an isolate of Vibrio sp. selected from a marine environment using an agar overlay method. This method consisted of covering one day old bacillus cultures with the Vibrio isolate embedded in agar. Zones of clearance were evaluated at 2 days. Thirty-six isolates from various environments were screened. Of the thirty-six isolates tested, two isolates, a B. licheniformis (OBT 712) and a B. amyloliquefaciens (OBT 618), had particularly high levels of antagonism toward Vibrio. All strains are easily propagated on trypticase soy agar (TSA) and sporulate in liquid media.

[0025] These strains are antagonistic to Vibrio. They produce a clearance zone on agar plates when the Bacillus colonies are covered with a thin agar layer that includes Vibrio sp, One isolate has a delayed response killing the Vibrio after it has grown. The other inhibits Vibrio growth.

[0026] In a preliminary trial, feeding rotifers the Bacillus strains increased survivability of larval snook fed the rotifers. The mechanism by which the Bacillus isolates fed to rotifers increases survivability of larval snook fed the rotifers has not been determined. It is conceivable that they are inhibiting growth of Vibrio within the digestive tract of rotifers or snook. It is also possible that they inhibit growth of Vibrio within larval brooding tanks overall.

[0027] Anticipated use is at a concentration of 10 ^s - 10 ⁷ spores/ml in live food tanks or in a larval rearing tank. They are stored as freeze dried spores. Spores can be supplied on a nutritive carrier.

[0028] The invention could possibly be used to suppress Vibrio sp. on multiple fish species as well as shell fish that are grown in culture. Vibrio is a gammaproteobacteria, a class of bacteria that includes Pseudomonas and Enterobacter such as E. coll and Salmonella sp. It could potentially be antagonistic to these other species.

[0029] Possible ancillary benefits of Bacillus addition in aquaculture include improved nutrient availability and waste reduction.

[0030] The described embodiments are preferred and/or illustrated, but are not limiting. Various modifications are considered within the purview and scope of the appended claims.