U.S. Scientists Discover Natural Agent That Kills Bacteria in Food

Foxnews.com

MINNEAPOLIS –  U.S. scientists discovered a naturally-occurring agent that destroys the bacteria that cause meat, fish, eggs and dairy products to rot.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota reported the discovery of bisin -- a naturally-occurring compound produced by some types of bacteria.

The agent reduces the growth of bacteria including E. coli, salmonella and listeria and could lead to sandwiches that stay fresh for more than a year, The (London) Sunday Times reported.

The discovery also means that opened wine and products such as fresh salad dressing could last much longer -- in some cases for as long as several years.

It could also lead to a reduction in the amount of food wasted and thrown away each year.

Bisin was discovered by University of Minnesota microbiologist Dan O'Sullivan.

"It [bisin] seems to be much better than anything which has gone before," O'Sullivan said. "It doesn't compromise nutrient quality. We are not adding a chemical -- we are adding a natural ingredient."

Because bisin is chemically related to nisin, which is used to keep processed cheese sterile and edible for decades, it does not need to be pharmaceutically tested and could be on the market within a year.

Florida Mother Accused of Beating Son for Using Facebook

APOPKA, Fla. –  A Florida woman was charged with aggravated child abuse after beating her son with a cable for using Facebook without her permission, The Orlando Sentinel reported Saturday.

Althea Ricketts, 62, was told of her child's account on the social networking website after an acquaintance advised her that he had posted a message which indicated he might try to hurt himself.

In an interview with police, the boy, whose age was not released, said his mother had gotten angry and beaten him with a cable in their Apopka, Fla., home.

He then ran away to a friend's house, where he was later found with injuries to both arms.

Ricketts told police the boy had lied to her about using Facebook and that she had become angry and hit him. She was booked into the Orange County Jail, where she was being held without bail on Saturday

Popular Bollywood Actor Dies at 79

MUMBAI, India -- Versatile Indian actor Shammi Kapoor has died after a long career in Bollywood. He was 79.

His doctor Bhupendra Gandhi says Kapoor was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital two days ago in critical condition. He was on dialysis and died Sunday of kidney failure.

Kapoor was hailed for his lighthearted roles in movies. He belonged to Bollywood's well-known Kapoor family.

His brothers Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor also were successful actors, and his father, Prithviraj Kapoor, was a well-known theater personality of the 1950s.

Shammi Kapoor made his debut in Bollywood in 1953 and acted in successful movies including "Junglee" and "Professor." He also appeared in "Brahmchari" and "Janwar."

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.