HAYWARD, Calif., April 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A recent USDA study about the bactericidal activity of health-promoting food-derived powders, confirms that Hidrox exerts superior activity against some of today's major foodborne pathogens: deadly micro-organisms such as Escherichia Coli; Listeria monocytogens; Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus.
Conducted at the USDA Western Regional Center of Emeryville (CA) by a team of researchers led by noted microbiologist Prof. Mendel Friedaman, the study compared food industry's bactericidal agents of choice, such as oregano leaf powder, green tea, apple skin extract, and grape seed extract, to novel bioactive formulations like Hidrox (olive juice powder – normalized in the report), olive pomace, oleuropein and purified hydroxytyrosol. And while the Apple skin extract caused the strongest bactericidal reaction at the lowest dose against Staphylococcus aureus, Hidrox (along with the oregano-derived product), was the only compound among the 10 tested to exert a broad range antibacterial activity at the lowest dosage across all 4 tested microorganisms, reaching a BA50 (meaning the percentage of the sample in the assay mixture resulting in a 50% decrease in CFU relative to the buffer control) at concentrations as low as .318±.006 against Salmonella enterica. Furthermore when compared directly to oregano leaf powder, oleuropein and purified hydroxytyrosol, Hidrox (in the study identified as olive juice powder-normalized) was much more active, suggesting that it merits further evaluation for its "potential to inhibit these pathogens in human foods and animal foods for the benefit of microbial food safety."
"Foodborne pathogens are wreaking havoc among consumers and are forcing food formulators to search constantly for new answers to what can be defined a rising food safety emergency," declares Victor Moreno, PhD, and CreAgri's Senior Advisor, "The CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) are rendered ill by food contamination, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. In addition it was just a little bit more than a year ago that Cargill (for example) had to recall about 36 million pounds of ground turkey due to bacterial contamination. Finding a viable, natural and safe bactericidal agent is an imperative not just a nice research project, as some the life of many people and the destiny of whole industries impinges upon it."
Published in the Journal of Food Science, the research speculated also that the increased demand for novel and natural compounds for food safety will drive their costs drastically down.
About HIDROX
HIDROX® is CREAGRI®'s trademarked hydroxytyrosol formulation, a powerful polyphenol scientifically recognized for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and efficacy in heart and joint health. GRAS certified, HIDROX® has been subjected to the most comprehensive set of clinical, safety and efficacy tests. HIDROX® is also covered by the largest number of international patents for applications that include hydroxytyrosol and olive polyphenol.
About CREAGRI
CREAGRI® Inc., a California company, is the leading manufacturer of HIDROX®, a proprietary hydroxytyrosol-rich ingredient. Its goal is to promote health and wellness by creating superior natural products that strike a balance between nature and technology. The company develops science-based processes that are environmentally friendly and compatible with sustainable agricultural practices.
For media inquires please contact Paolo Pontoniere, VP of Corporate Communications, ppontoniere@creagri.com, 510-732-6478