Effectiveness of Bacteriophages Against Biofilm-Forming Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli on Leafy Greens and Cucumbers.

ABSTRACT: Background: Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) have caused several produce-associated outbreaks, making it challenging to control these pathogens. Bacteriophages could serve as effective biocontrol. Materials and Methods: Spinach, lettuce, and cucumbers, inoculated with STEC (O157, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145), were treated with lytic bacteriophages and stored at 4°C for 3 days. Surviving STEC were enumerated and observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM), and data analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05). Results: Bacteriophage treatments significantly reduced STEC populations, compared with the control (p < 0.05). On spinach and romaine, STEC O26, O45, and O103 were reduced to undetectab

SUBMITTER: Litt PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9041472 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature