Development and characterization of new antimicrobial ingredients based on divergicin M35 and evaluation of their potential applications for the biopreservation of marine and processed products

The project, led by the CRBM team in partnership with Fumoirs Grizzly Inc., aims to develop new food biopreservation strategies to extend shelf life while reducing the use of chemical additives and salt, whose harmful effects on health are increasingly contested. The team has isolated Carnobacterium divergens, a bacterial strain that produces divergicin M35, a bacteriocin effective against Listeria monocytogenes in various food matrices. This bacteriocin has been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the United States and approved as a new food additive in Canada.

The project's objective is to optimize the industrial production of divergicin M35 and develop new technological agents based on divergicin M35 to ensure the quality and safety of marine products. This includes designing economically viable processes for bacteriocin production, validating its antimicrobial efficacy, and characterizing its physicochemical and biological properties for regulatory approval. The project also explores combining divergicin M35 with other bacteriocins that can act synergistically to combat additional pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium botulinum, as well as spoilage bacteria in marine products.

The status of divergicin M35 as a food additive faces regulatory challenges due to legislative differences between countries, which hinder large-scale commercialization. However, as a technological agent, the approval process is expected to be faster and less complex.

Innovations stemming from this project could have significant impacts, including improving the shelf life of food products, sanitizing production facilities and equipment, and enabling access to new markets.