3 minute read
Innovative bacteria treatment
Innovative treatment prevents spread of bacteria across metal surfaces
BY CHRIS ADAM
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TOOL A TREATMENT THAT KILLS BACTERIA
WHAT DOES IT DO THE TECHNOLOGY APPLIES PRIMARILY TO FOOD PROCESSING AND CUTTING SURFACES, WHICH CAN BE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO BACTERIA GROWTH
3 THIS image shows a peptide release test, with the increased purple colour showing more peptides being released.
WHO WOULD USE IT FOOD PROCESSING BUSINESSES
MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT OTCIP@PRF.ORG OR CLADAM@PRF.ORG RESEARCHERS AT PURDUE University have developed a treatment to infuse a hardened metal surface with naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. The Purdue team’s technology creates a hard metal surface that kills bacteria that try to attach to the surface.
3RESEARCHERS at Purdue University have developed technology to create a hard metal surface that kills bacteria that try to attach to the surface.
“When we create an oxidised metal surface with nanometre-wide and micrometre-deep cracks, peptides can be infused in these microscopic cracks with a simple wet process,” said David Bahr, head and professor of materials engineering at Purdue, who leads the team.
“As an additional benefit, the process The material stored in the cracks can colour several metals, providing a releases over time, leading to extended visual indication of when the surface is times of antimicrobial resistance. no longer antimicrobial.” The oxidation process creates an Bahr said this technology applies optically coloured material, which primarily to food processing and cutting provides a simple visual indicator of surfaces, which can be especially wear or degradation in antimicrobial vulnerable to bacteria growth and performance. attachment given the materials and surface designs. “Our technology can help ensure that if a food processing facility was chopping salad greens, bacteria would not transfer The process has been demonstrated on stainless steel and titanium and is applicable to a wide range of commercial Reducing the risk of foodborne illness outbreaks. from a contaminated surface to a cutting tool, metal alloys. thereby contaminating many The team worked with the more parts,” Bahr said. Purdue Research Foundation “When used in conjunction with food washing and other safe handling, Office of Technology Commercialisation to patent the technology. this should allow fewer outbreaks of The creators are looking for partners foodborne illness.” to commercialise their technology. Preliminary testing verified that the treated surfaces provide antibacterial properties in excess of the untreated surfaces. For more information on licensing this innovation, contact Dipak Narula of OTC at dnarula@prf.org and reference track code 2017-BAHR-67842.
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialisation operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the US.
MORE INFORMATION
See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu. Contact otcip@prf.org or cladam@prf.org for more information.
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