Several NDSU personnel contributed to a new patent issued to the NDSU Research Foundation by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent is titled “Biofilm Inhibitor and Method of Inhibiting Biofilm.” Inventors include Birgit Pruess, professor of microbiological sciences; Meredith Schroeder, former NDSU doctoral student; Shelley Horne, research specialist in microbiological sciences; and Shane Stafslien, senior research specialist in coatings and polymeric materials.

According to Pruess, the patent describes the use of acetoacetate (AAA) and ethyl acetoacetate (EAA) to inhibit bacterial biofilm and growth.

“The significance of this new technology is to enhance food safety via a novel food anti-microbial that will help both food processing companies and consumers,” Pruess said. “EAA can be used as a wash for a multitude of foods and food products, including but not limited to beef and chicken, but also tomatoes and potentially lettuce, as well as other vegetables.”

The patent’s supporting data was part of the doctoral dissertation by Schroeder, who was a doctoral student studying molecular pathogenesis in the NDSU Department of Microbiological Sciences until 2018. Stafslien was the group’s collaborator with the NDSU Office of Research and Creative Activities.

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