Applied Microbiology Inc. announced Tuesday that it has beengranted a U.S. patent covering the use of bactericidalcompositions made of the company's Ambicin-N antimicrobialand a chelating agent.

According to Applied Microbiology (NASDAQ: AMBI) of NewYork, Ambicin-N is a form of nisin, a naturally occurring (andtherefore unpatentable) peptide that generally acts againstGram-positive bacteria. However, the company stated that itwas able to extend the spectrum of activity of natural nisin,creating a bactericide that is active against both Gram-negativeand Gram-positive bacteria.

The patent, No. 5,260,271, is titled "Nisin Compositions For UseAs Enhanced Broad Range Bactericides."

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