Using Bacteria to Kill Food-Poisoning Germs on Kitchen Surfaces
A natural cleaning solution using specific bacteria and a protein to stop the growth of dangerous Listeria bacteria on food processing equipment.
Original patent title: “Surface sanitizer for the food industry based on three new lactic acid bacteria that have antagonistic action against Listeria monocytogenes, the microorganism that causes listeriosis in humans”
A natural cleaning solution using specific bacteria and a protein to stop the growth of dangerous Listeria bacteria on food processing equipment. Granted to Universidad Austral de Chile in 2011 with 22 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a cleaning formula that uses three specific types of beneficial bacteria—Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and Enterococcus mundtii—along with a natural protein called nisin. These bacteria are heat-treated to become inactive, meaning they don't grow, but they still release substances that kill Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous germ that causes food poisoning. The formula can be used as a liquid spray or turned into a solid gel coating to sanitize surfaces like food factory drains, cutting boards, or machinery.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the use of live, active bacteria for sanitization.
- Does not cover chemical sanitizers like bleach, chlorine, or quaternary ammonium compounds.
- Does not cover the use of these specific bacterial strains for purposes other than controlling Listeria.
- Does not cover general-purpose household cleaners that do not contain this specific combination of three strains and nisin.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
By combining inactivated fermentates from three distinct bacterial strains with nisin, the inventors created a synergistic effect where the mixture is more effective at killing Listeria than any of the components would be on their own.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Sanitizing liquid spray for food processing conveyor belts
Solid gel coating for industrial food factory drains
Protective surface treatment for food preparation tables
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Listeria is a major concern in the food industry because it survives in cold, damp environments like processing plants. This invention provides a biological alternative to harsh chemicals, which is increasingly important as food manufacturers seek safer, more natural ways to keep food supply chains free from contamination.
Filed
February 26, 2010
Granted
November 22, 2011
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The technology originated from research at the Universidad Austral de Chile. The broader field of using bacteriocins and protective cultures to replace chemical preservatives is currently being explored by major food safety ingredient suppliers and agricultural biotechnology firms.
Market impact
This patent represents a shift toward bio-sanitation in the food industry. It offers a method to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals, helping producers meet strict food safety standards while appealing to the growing market demand for clean-label and natural food processing techniques.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a cleaning formula that uses three specific types of beneficial bacteria—Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and Enterococcus mundtii—along with a natural protein called nisin. These bacteria are heat-treated to become inactive, meaning they don't grow, but they still release substances that kill Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous germ that causes food poisoning. The formula can be used as a liquid spray or turned into a solid gel coating to sanitize surfaces like food factory drains, cutting boards, or machinery.
The clever bit
By combining inactivated fermentates from three distinct bacterial strains with nisin, the inventors created a synergistic effect where the mixture is more effective at killing Listeria than any of the components would be on their own.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the use of live, active bacteria for sanitization.
- Does not cover chemical sanitizers like bleach, chlorine, or quaternary ammonium compounds.
- Does not cover the use of these specific bacterial strains for purposes other than controlling Listeria.
- Does not cover general-purpose household cleaners that do not contain this specific combination of three strains and nisin.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$55K – $175K
Midpoint $109K · 3.7 yr remaining · industry ×2.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
22 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Rios, Y. I. N., Rademacher, M. H., Hinostroza, C. D. C. V., Twele, R. P. S., Lobo, M. E. C., Panno, L. C., Contreras, C. S. B., & Perez, J. R. F. (2011). Using Bacteria to Kill Food-Poisoning Germs on Kitchen Surfaces (U.S. Patent No. 8,062,633). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8062633/actemra-tocilizumab
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Using Bacteria to Kill Food-Poisoning Germs on Kitchen Surfaces cover?
A natural cleaning solution using specific bacteria and a protein to stop the growth of dangerous Listeria bacteria on food processing equipment.
Who owns patent US 8062633?
Universidad Austral de Chile owns this patent, granted in 2011.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 22, 2031, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 8062633 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Listeria is a major concern in the food industry because it survives in cold, damp environments like processing plants. This invention provides a biological alternative to harsh chemicals, which is increasingly important as food manufacturers seek safer, more natural ways to keep food supply chains free from contamination.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the use of live, active bacteria for sanitization.
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