Characteristics and growth inhibition of isolated bacteriophages for Enterococcus faecalis

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis has been used as a starter for fermented food and probiotics, but it can produce biogenic amine in foods and also cause infectious diseases in humans. The antibiotic resistance acquired by E. faecalis restricts antibiotic prescriptions in clinical settings. Bacteriophages EFP4 and EFP7 for E. faecalis, isolated from soil samples, impeded E. faecalis growth. Morphological analysis showed that bacteriophages EFP4 and EFP7 belonged to the Siphoviridae. Bacteriophages EFP4 and EFP7 were susceptible to temperatures above 70A degrees C; however, stability was slightly reduced to 2-3 log PFU/mL after 30 min in 70% ethanol. Two bacteriophages did not suffer phage resistant in E. faecalis for 24 h. Therefore, bacteriophages EFP4 and EFP7, after more study, are candidates for use in biocontrol and controlled fermentation of E. faecalis through food applications.