Isolation and evaluation of a lytic Escherichia coli phage as a potential food biocontrol agent: Biological characterization and independent genomic analysis
This study characterized a lytic Escherichia coli phage isolated from Nem chua and evaluated its potential as a candidate for food biocontrol by integrating biological characterization, phylogenomic analysis, and genomic safety assessment. Twelve distinct lytic phages were successfully isolated based on the formation of clear plaques (2.0–2.5 mm) on E. coli lawns. Among the isolated phages, PHAGE_ECOL05 showed the broadest qualitative spot-test activity, producing visible clearing on the lawns of 8 of 19 tested E. coli strains. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) influenced the suppression of bacterial turbidity. Among the tested conditions, an initial MOI of 1 produced the greatest reduction in OD600, with values decreasing to near-baseline levels within 4–6 hours. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that PHAGE_ECOL05 possessed an icosahedral head and a contractile tail, consistent with the morphological characteristics of phages within the class Caudoviricetes. DNBSEQ-G99 paired-end sequencing of DNA extracted from the plaque-purified PHAGE_ECOL05 preparation generated two viral contigs. No assembly connection was observed between the two contigs; therefore, they were analyzed independently. A total of 204 predicted open reading frames were identified across the two contigs. Comparative phylogenomic analyses placed Contig 1 within the family Chaseviridae and genus Carltongylesvirus, whereas Contig 2 was placed within the family Chaseviridae but could not be confidently assigned to a currently recognized genus based on the available genomic comparisons. Neither contig contained predicted virulence-associated or antibiotic resistance-associated genes. Overall, the biological characteristics of PHAGE_ECOL05 and the absence of predicted virulence genes and antibiotic resistance-associated genes in the recovered viral contigs provide preliminary evidence supporting further investigation of the PHAGE_ECOL05 preparation as a potential food biocontrol candidate.
Dang YP, Quach TCV, Nguyen GHT, Le UV, Dang KD, Nguyen TT. Isolation and evaluation of a lytic Escherichia coli phage as a potential food biocontrol agent: biological characterization and independent genomic analysis. J Appl Biol Biotech 2026. Article in Press. http://doi.org/10.7324/jabb.2026.314361
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