By: Shivang Tripathi
Polysorbate, a safe additive found in everything from ice cream to cosmetics, has been proven to slow the effects of E. coli poisoning. The findings show that polysorbates attack the protective biolfilm in which e coli lives, said Chris Waters, Michigan State University associate professor of microbiology and molecular genetics whose laboratory led the research. Waters, along with his team, conducted an experiment on mice to determine if the compound was effective. 80 mice infected with e coli were administered polysorbate 80. The results of the experiment showed that polysorbate blocked all toxicity, even though it didn't reduce the amount of bacteria. Analysis of this experiment showed that polysorbate 80 strips E. coli of its ability to cause disease allowing the bacteria to pass through the body’s intestinal tract without causing damage. “Antibiotic use can often cause more harm than good with these types of E. coli infections because it causes the bacteria to release more toxin and it drives antimicrobial resistance,” Waters said. “Our results indicate that polysorbate 80 makes this strain of E. coli harmless, without these negative side effects. More tests are currently being done on the effects of Polysorbate. This information is very important to the general public because it shows us that their is a possible, safe replacement for harmful antibiotics.
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This is terrifying because I know people who have had E-Coli and it makes sense to me because it took awhile for the bacteria to go away. It's so scary to see someone go through that. Good job!
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