title: Infection and removal of L-forms of Listeria monocytogenes with bred bacteriophage.
abstract: Phage breeding was employed to produce a bacteriophage (Listeria monocytogenes phage ATCC 23074-B1) which was specific for L-forms of L. monocytogenes. The bred phage was compared to its unbred parent for lytic activity and specificity. It was also tested for its ability to prevent L-form biofilm formation on stainless steel and compared with an organic acid (lactic) at L-form biofilm inactivation on stainless steel. The bred phage lysed only L-forms of L. monocytogenes in broth culture and only plaqued on L-form lawns. Likewise, the unbred phage performed similarly with classical cell-walled culture and lawns. The bred phage successfully inhibited L-form biofilm formation on stainless steel and was as successful as lactic acid (130 ppm) at inactivating pre-formed L-form biofilms. Both reduced viable cell numbers by 3-long cycles over a 6 h period. It appears that phage breeding technology may be an attractive alternative to chemical sanitizers which lack specificity and can be toxic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Canada.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hibma
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jassim
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D007740:L Forms / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012499:Sanitation