P1-26 Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus cereus Bacteriophages from Foods and Soil

Monday, July 10, 2017
Exhibit Hall (Tampa Convention Center)
Hyejin Oh , Chung-Ang University , Ansung-si , Korea, Rebublic Of
Dong Joo Seo , Chung-Ang University, Food & Nutrition , Anseong , South Korea
Su Been Jeon , Chung-Ang University , Anseong , South Korea
Hyunkyung Park , Chung-Ang University , Anseong , South Korea
Suntak Jeong , Chung-Ang University , Anseong , South Korea
Hyang Sook Chun , Korea Food Research Institute , Sungnam , South Korea
Mihwa Oh , Rural Development Administration , Jeonju , South Korea
Changsun Choi , Chung-Ang University , Ansung, Kyounggi , South Korea
Introduction: Bacillus cereus is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, sporeforming foodborne pathogen. Since the spore of B. cereus is resistant to heat, acid, ultraviolet, gamma irradiation, water stress, it is widely isolated from soil, sediment, dust, plants, and food production environments. Bacteriophage has the significant advantage in inhibiting specific pathogens without alteration of organoleptic properties. Several B. cereus bacteriophage strains have been isolated from mud, food waste, and fermented foods. However, potential risk of bacteriophage to carry virulence genes was not examined.

Purpose: This study aimed to isolate bacteriophages against B. cereus from various origins and to characterize host range, virulence profiles, and lytic activity of isolated bacteriophages.

Methods: Twenty-seven bacteriophages against B. cereus were isolated from various Korean traditional fermented foods and soils. Plaque size, transmission electron microscopy, virulence profile, and in vitro lytic activity of bacteriophage isolates were examined. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed B. cereus bacteriophages belonging to the family Siphoviridae.

Results: Among B. cereus bacteriophages with broad host range, 18 isolates (66.7%) did not harbor B. cereus virulence factors. Bacillus cereus bacteriophage isolates from fermented foods did not carry virulence genes. Plaque size of each bacteriophage isolate was not dependent on isolation origin. Bacteriophage strain CAU150036, CAU150038, CAU150058, CAU150064, CAU150065, and CAU150066 effectively inhibited B. cereus in vitro within one hour with MOI-dependent manner.

Significance: Bacteriophage strain CAU150036, CAU150038, CAU150058, CAU150064, CAU150065, and CAU150066 are considered potential candidates for controlling the contamination of B. cereus in food or other applications.