Soybeans could help prevent microbial contamination of food

Apr 28, 2016

Recent research conducted by the University of Guelph

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

New research from the University of Guelph suggests that soybean derivatives may be able to stop microbial pathogens from growing on food.

Suresh Neethirajan, director of the BioNano Laboratory said using soy isoflavones, which act as hormones and control biological activity on a cellular level, and peptides, which are part of proteins and can act as hormones or hormone producers, could benefit the food industry because some bacteria is fighting off the traditional methods.

His team’s research found that using those soybean derivatives can help limit growth of listeria and pseudomonas pathogens.

Soybeans

“Soy peptides and isoflavones are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and non-toxic. The demand for new ways to combat microbes is huge, and our study suggests soy-based isoflavones and peptides could be part of the solution,” he said in a press release.

“Heavy use of chemical antimicrobial agents has caused some strains of bacteria to become very resistant to them, rendering them ineffective for the most part,” said Neethirajan.

Neethirajan said the new research could have domino effects across different industries.

“This could be very beneficial to food processors, as well as the farmers who grow soybeans.”

Video: EP 70 Maximizing Soil Function – Stories of Regeneration Part 3

Soil is very much alive. And hungry too. Some estimates go as far as saying that there is more life in a teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on the planet. You just need a microscope to see the vast majority of it. Or you do what grain farmer Blake Vince did, and bury a pair of “tighty whities” (underwear) in the soil to produce proof of the existence of this vast and diverse soil microbial community.

In the soil, you’ve got well-known critters like earthworms, bacteria and fungi and lesser-known ones like protozoa and nematodes, who have this tendency to eat the bacteria and fungi. In this bustling environment where a lot of things are eating each other, there is an exchange between soil organisms and plants so both sides of the equation get what they need to survive and thrive and produce food for the rest of us living above ground. This interaction between the soil and plants is something that fascinated Blake Vince, who farms mainly soya and corn in southwestern Ontario, it fascinated him at a young age.

Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.