NISIN CLEAN Skin and Environmental Wipes Anti-bacterial and Anti-viral Moisturizing Formula A unique preparation containing nisin and monolaurin.

The antimicrobial peptide, nisin preparation, is a concentrate of dry material derived from the controlled fermentation of a naturally occurring milk (lactic acid) bacterium, Lactococcus lactis and has been designated by the FDA to be a GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) food additive and preservative. Nisin is a member of a group of potent antibacterial substances called bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are proteins or protein-containing macromolecules with antibiotic properties that exert a bactericidal mode of action against a wide range of gram-positive organisms, including: Listeria, enterococcus, Bacillus sporothermodurans, and Clostridium.

Monolaurin is a derivative extracted from coconut oil and has been approved by the FDA as a direct food additive and preservative. While non-toxic, it adversely affects pathogenic bacteria, yeast, fungi, and enveloped viruses. The potentially pathogenic bacteria inactivated by monolaurin include: Hemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus epidermis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Groups A & B gram-positive streptococcus and some gram-negative organisms. A wide range of fungi, yeast and protozoa are also inactivated or destroyed by monolaurin ; the fungi include many species of ringworm. Reportedly, the Candida Albicans yeast and the Giardia lamblia protozoan parasite are also killed by monolaurin.

Nisin combined with monolaurin is an effective combination to help neutralize a long list of potentially harmful bacteria, viruses and fungus. Nisin and monolaurin are safe natural compounds and do not promote resistant bacteria. Nisin Clean may be used as an adjunct to hand washing with plain soap and water and can be a very effective cleanser when soap and water are not readily available, especially during travel.

Of Germs and Men

Germs have declared war on America and we need to defend ourselves now. This is what the marketers of antibacterial soaps, antibacterial drenched toys, clothes, lotions, etc. would have you believe. It is apparent that there are many believers because sales of these items and people's germ fears continue to grow.

There are no doubts about the serious rise in the incidence of bacterial as well as viral and fungal infections during the past two decades. Antibiotic resistance is a major concern, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of people yearly at an estimated annual cost of four billion dollars. In 1995, the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment stated that half of all antibiotics prescribed were done so for the wrong reasons.

If you have taken an antibiotic for a cold or flu, you have taken an antibacterial drug for a viral infection. Persistence and insistence that this is the treatment of choice is irrational and it has contributed to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, as well as to the growing threat of resistant bacterial infections. More than half the antibiotic prescriptions are used improperly. 70% of antibiotics are fed to livestock, which in turn end up in the nation's breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert (antibiotics present in milk, ice cream, yogurt and other dairy products are potential sources).

Major mainstream publications have reported on this growing problem during the last few years. Experts in antibiotics have been warning us for decades. The main problem we face, in addition to the emergence of all these dangerous microbes, is our inability to defend ourselves against them. We live with all kinds of microorganisms. The problem is that potentially dangerous bacteria and viruses are better able to attach themselves to a weak host than a strong one. The vital issue is immune-superiority or a state of physical advantage over these potential troublemakers by maintaining a strong surveillance system (a strong host defense).

It is the collective breakdown of immune response resulting from many common lifestyle factors, including: stress, poor diet, smoking, inactivity, prescription drug abuse (inappropriate antibiotic use for example) lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption and inadequate intake of antioxidants, antimutagens and other needed nutritional supplements. From acne to pink eye, plague, cholera, whooping cough and lyme disease, etc., bacterial infections inflict a great deal of pain and suffering. With growing antibiotic resistance, the arsenal to kill these invaders is diminishing at an alarming rate. Viruses, including: flu, AID's, viral hepatitis and Ebola claim millions of lives.

Antibacterial Products

Having said all that, it would seem that antibacterial soaps and other antibacterial products would be a no-brainer. The problem is that much of what these products do, can be accomplished by using regular soap along with the friction that occurs during hand washing. Concerns of possible resistance are growing, as the chemicals in these antibacterial products become ubiquitous.

Where are the Germs?

Most household germs can be found in the kitchen. Uncooked poultry, beef and seafood are sources of contamination. When hands (or countertops and cutting boards) are not properly cleansed after handling these items, contaminants can be transferred to other foodstuffs or may be passed on to infants. The very young and the very old are the most vulnerable to infection.

Washing your hands with plain soap and water is essential to good health. Transmission of viruses and bacteria are often passed from hand to hand or hand to nose or eye contact. Infants are quite vulnerable and people with lowered immunity or those with open cuts or scrapes may fall prey. Keeping the kitchen clean, as well as the bathroom and other places where resistant pathogenic bacteria may be present can easily be accomplished with Nisin Clean. Nisin Clean can stop the spread of viruses, bacteria and fungus on counters, computer keyboards, telephones, shopping carts (especially if children are to be seated in them) and other public and private places. Nisin Clean should be included in the cleaning supplies of all child care centers, nursing and convalescent homes and other patient care institutions as well as the home.

A novel use of Nisin Clean is for antibiotic resistant acne. Researchers at Clemson University have published data demonstrating the efficacy of Nisin in combating 158 different types of acne bacteria. Antibiotic resistant acne is a growing problem. It is just another example of the consequences of the misuse and abuse of antibiotics.

It is also noteworthy to say that with the emergence of more and more resistant bacteria (many of which are multi drug resistant as well), individuals are in greater danger of succumbing to bacterial toxins that specific antibiotics were once very effective against. Nisin with Monolaurin applied topically is a new and exciting concept in infection prevention and control. Hospitals and nursing homes for example would benefit from this unique formulation, as estimates are that nearly three million nosocomial (hospital induced) infections occur yearly with somewhere between 10 and 30% of those inflicted, dying. That places nosocomial infections somewhere between the 4th and 13th leading cause of death in the U.S., which puts this problem in the neighborhood of killers such as pneumonia and stroke.

Nisin / Monolaurin products may be helpful in saving lives and saving money as well. An effective and safe alternative in fighting resistant pathogens is something that should be a concern for all of us.

Monolaurin-treated Strains

RNA viruses

• Orthomyxoviridae Influenzavirus A/W/33 (H1N1)
• Paramyxoviridae Pneumovirus Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• Paramyxovirus Newcastle Disease Virus
• Morbillivirus Rubeola Virus
• Coronaviridae Coronavirus Avian Infectious
• Bronchitis Virus

DNA viruses

• Herpesviridae Herpes Simplex type 1
• Herpes Simplex type 2
• Betaherpesvirihae Cytomegalovirus

Hierholzer, J.C. et al. In vitro effects of Monolaurin on enveloped RNA and DNA viruses. J. Food Safety 4:1, 1982

Nisin is effective against the following pathogenic bacteria as well as many others:

• Staphyloccus aureus (S. aureus)
• Streptococcus agalactiae(S.agalatiae)
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis)
• Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae)