Part of the Problem or the Solution? Indiscriminate Use of Bacteriophages in the Food Industry Can Reduce their Potential and Impair Growth-based Detection Methods

Conclusions.Indiscriminate use of phages is not innocuous and can drastically reduce the potential of phages as an alternative class of anti-bacterial agent. It is important to avoid the development of phage-resistant bacteria, inhibition in standard microbiological monitoring, phage-spread and possibly the consumption of contaminated food. This could be expedited by a declaration of phage-treated food and the application of alternative detection methods for both, food-borne bacteria and applied phages. Additionally, use and development of new disinfectants effective against phages and awareness of the consequences of habitual use of phage products should ensure their future as alternatives to conventional antibiotics.Graphical abstractOverview of potential risks of phage application in food production plants.
Source: Trends in Food Science and Technology - Category: Food Science Source Type: research