WHAT IS BLIS

BLIS is an acronym for Bacteriocin Like Inhibitory Substances. Certain strains of micro-organisms produce BLIS substances, which act as natural antibiotics and control the growth of undesirable bacteria. This field of research is called Bacteriotherapy (the use of strains of beneficial bacteria to control infection by undesirable bacteria).

BLIS Technologies is the patent holder of Streptococcus salivarius K12. This is a BLIS producing probiotic shown to treat bad breath and sour taste. You can watch a 3 minute video that gives a graphical explanation. watch video

Professor John Tagg and his research team from the Department of Microbiology, University of Otago are the world leaders in the Bacteriotherapy field leading to one of the worlds most extensive collections of BLIS producing organisms gathered over a 20 year period. This widespread research and testing carried out over many years has enabled this research team to identify beneficial strains of naturally occurring bacteria, that by producing antibacterial peptides, help protect against infection by undesirable bacteria.

An example of the use of Bacteriotherapy is to use BLIS producing strains of Streptococcus salivarius, a naturally occurring flora of the oral cavity, to control infection by Streptococcus pyogenes which can lead to the common "Strep" throat, and rarer potentially serious diseases such as rheumatic fever and scarlet fever.

Another use of Bacteriotherapy, is to use BLIS producing strains of Streptococcus salivarius to fight bacteria of the mouth that cause bad breath and halitosis.

BLIS Peptides

BLIS producing organisms, express an antibacterial peptide that targets other competing micro-organisms. These BLIS peptides are unique in their mode of action as they do not harm the BLIS producing bacteria themselves. These BLIS peptides belong to a group of peptides called lantibiotics (ribosomally synthesized lanthionine containing antibiotics).

The BLIS peptides produced by Streptococcus salivarius K12 are called Salivaricin A (a bacteriostatic peptide) and Salivaricin B (a bactericidal peptide). Approximately 2% of the world's population contain Streptococcus salivarius that make such peptides.

The mode of action of the peptide is to attach to the targeted bacteria cell wall and then create a gap in the wall causing the cell to die. An unusual feature is that this process requires a minute difference in voltage between the inner and outer cell wall, and this only typically occurs in bacteria dividing while undergoing rapid growth. Bad breath anaerobic bacteria are notorious for rapid growth and are therefore perfect targets for this BLIS peptide.

BLIS Technologies and BreezeCare

BLIS Technologies is a public company traded on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. They have applied for and received world wide patents in the Lantibiotic technology. BreezeCare is proud to be partnering this revolutionary company. Since 2004, BreezeCare has helped develop a scientifically proven Bad Breath Formulation as well as a potent Pre Rinse that helps increase the efficiency of the BLIS K12 probiotic.