Abstract
Applications for bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents are increasing. The industrial use of these bacterial viruses requires the production of large amounts of suitable strictly lytic phages, particularly for food and agricultural applications. This work describes a new approach for phage production. Phages H387 (Siphoviridae) and A511 (Myoviridae) were propagated separately using Listeria ivanovii host cells immobilised in alginate beads. The same batch of alginate beads could be used for four successive and efficient phage productions. This technique enables the production of large volumes of high-titer phage lysates in continuous or semi-continuous (fed-batch) cultures.
Highlights
Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for fatal cases of listeriosis in humans via contaminated food products [1]
With the aim of reducing production time and costs, we investigated here a different phage production procedure that employs host bacteria entrapped in a porous gel matrix
The use of calcium alginate immobilised cells to produce phages is a bi-phasic technique that controls the bacterial population and preserves the integrity of the cells, as long as they remain entrapped in the matrix
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for fatal cases of listeriosis in humans via contaminated food products [1]. Entrapped cells will still grow because nutrients diffuse through the gel matrix [39], and while microcolonies spread deeper in the beads, the bacterial density has been shown to be higher near to or at the surface of the beads [40,41,42]. Multiple phage lytic cycles can be favoured, because this protective system prevents the rapid decline of the phage-sensitive host population This process provides an opportunity to produce phages in continuous or semi-continuous (fed-batch) cultures. The use of calcium alginate immobilised cells (in spheres or fibers) to produce phages is a bi-phasic technique that controls the bacterial population and preserves the integrity of the cells, as long as they remain entrapped in the matrix
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
