The antibody is a fantastic protein. Antibodies make every batch of food and biological products entering our stores safe. Their ability to specifically bind to a unique molecule make antibodies irreplaceable in quality assurance of food and biological products. Antibodies screen products to prevent contaminated and poor batches reaching the store shelves. These are our top three picks that illustrate how antibodies keep us safe.
- FOOD: Serious food borne illnesses are most commonly caused by E.Coli, Salmonella and Listeria. WHO has estimated about 600 million food borne illnesses worldwide and over 420,0000 deaths in 2010. http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/foodborne-diseases/ferg/en/ Antibodies have the amazing ability to prevent contaminated vegetables, meat, dairy products and processed food from exiting the production facilities.
- FARM ANIMALS: Antibodies are able to track down and prevent the spread of lethal viral and bacterial outbreaks in live stock.
- BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS: Pure components like collagens and hyaluronic acids are increasingly used in cosmetic and skin products. In order for these products to be safe to use on our bodies, the production of the molecules need to be monitored by antibodies. The same goes for many dietary supplements. Another area of biological products are enzymes in washing detergents: these need to be at just the right concentration to do the work effeciently.