BeritaTREN.COM

Food like sausages, milk and sandwiches could soon be left on the shelves for weeks after scientists discovered a new bacteria which is capable of preserving food.

The breakthrough means that fresh food treated with the preservative would not even have to be refrigerated.

The preservative, known as bisin, is also capable of destroying a whole host of bacteria including E.coli, Salmonella and listeria.

Fresh for longer: The new substance would keep sandwiches on the shelves for much longer

A group of researchers at Minnesota University in the U.S discovered the substance from a harmless bacteria called Bifodobacterium longum which is more commonly found in the human gut.

Dan Sullivan, an Irish microbologist who works at the university told the Sunday Times: ' It seems to be much better than anything which has gone before. It doesn't compromise nutrient quality - we are not adding a chemical we are adding a natural ingredient.'

The substance, which has already been patented in North America, is related to nisin, a preservative already used in the manufacture of processed cheese and meat, generally making it safe and not necessary for pharmacological testing.

It is the first naturally occurring agent which has been identified to attack so-called gram negative bacteria like E.Coli, Salmonella and listeria.

Scientists are now testing the the substance to find out how good it is at stopping the bacteria from growing.

Meanwhile a British wholesaler Booker has created sandwiches which could sit on the shelves for up to two weeks.

Oxygen in the plastic packaging will be replaced with nitrogen and carbon dioxide.