PuriCore says spray can tackle bird flu

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - London-listed PuriCore (PURI.L), which makes a bacteria-killing treatment that is sprayed on fruit and vegetables to keep them fresh, said on Wednesday the solution could also tackle the deadly bird flu virus.

U.S.-based PuriCore said its sterilox solution was effective at killing the H5N1 avian flu virus when it was applied to test strains for two minutes on hard surfaces.

PuriCore recently signed a deal to supply sterilox, a saline solution which is sprayed on fruit and vegetables to keep them on the shelves for longer, with U.S.-based supermarket chain Safeway (SWY.N).

Sterilox also kills the more common human influenza virus and hospital superbug MRSA, it said.

Cruise ship operators and casinos in Las Vegas are in talks to buy sterilox to kill off winter vomiting bugs such as norovirus, which made hundreds of thousands of British people ill over Christmas.

PuriCore is listed on London's junior Alternative Investment Market. (Reporting by Chris Wills; Editing by Paul Bolding) (chris.wills@reuters.com; +44 (0)20 7542 5331; Reuters Messaging: chris.wills.reuters.com@reuters.net))