The invention concerns the use of indigotine (E132, sodium 5,5′-indigodisulfonate) as an effective and safe agent for inhibiting bacteriophage infections in biotechnological processes.
Research demonstrates that the active anion of 5,5′-indigodisulfonic acid directly deactivates phage virions while maintaining bacterial viability, providing reliable protection for microbial cultures in bioreactors. Indigotine can be added directly to bacterial suspensions or to process additives, is effective at low concentrations, and its activity can be enhanced by mixing or operating at 37–50°C.
The solution addresses a major challenge in biotechnology – significant production losses caused by recurrent phage contamination.
Zastosowanie:
- Protection of bacterial cultures in bioreactors against phage infections,
- Stabilization of biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and food production processes,
- Securing process additives (e.g., antibiotics, inducers) susceptible to phage contamination.
