Preventing foodborne bacteria in edible sprouts
Preventing outbreaks of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in edible sprouts via novel resistance-conferring seed treatments
This study is testing a new way to make edible sprouts safer to eat by using a natural substance that helps the plants fight off harmful bacteria, which is especially important since sprouts have been linked to foodborne illnesses in the past.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ascribe Bioscience INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10781977 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new technology to enhance the safety of edible sprouts by preventing foodborne bacterial infections. The approach involves using a natural, microbiome-derived molecule that activates plant defenses at the seed stage, making sprouts more resistant to contamination. By addressing both external and internal bacterial contamination, this method aims to significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with sprouts. The research is particularly relevant given the historical prevalence of foodborne illnesses linked to sprout consumption.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who consume or are at risk of consuming contaminated edible sprouts, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
Not a fit: Patients who do not consume sprouts or have no risk of exposure to foodborne pathogens from sprouts may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could greatly reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses caused by sprouts, improving public health safety.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been various approaches to improving food safety, this specific method of using microbiome-derived molecules for sprout safety is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
Ithaca, United States
- Ascribe Bioscience INC. — Ithaca, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dejonghe, Wim — Ascribe Bioscience INC.
- Study coordinator: Dejonghe, Wim
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.