Abstract Aims Multidrug-resistant (MDR) foodborne pathogens pose an urgent global threat. We surveyed retail foods in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to identify highly resistant strains and develop a phage-based biocontrol strategy. Methods and Results Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 45% of samples (70% meat) and Escherichia coli in 52.5% (80% in arugula), often exceeding safety standards. From 40 representative isolates, the most resistant strains: Staphylococcus aureus SL4 from lettuce (GenBank OR646818; MAR index 0.44) and Escherichia coli ER2 from arugula (GenBank OR646817; MAR index 0.72), were selected for phage targeting. Two sewage-derived lytic phages, STB (Siphoviridae; host SL4) and ECB (Podoviridae; host ER2), were isolated. Both had ideal biocontrol traits: latent periods ∼10 min, burst sizes ∼2×10¹¹ PFU cell⁻¹, and stability at 28-55 °C and pH 5-9. In simulated decontamination trials, phage soaking on meat (CFU g⁻¹), arugula, and cutting boards (CFU cm⁻²) reduced bacterial counts by 3.4-6.4 log₁₀ after 1 h, 4.7-6.4 log₁₀ after 3 h, and near-complete eradication by 6 h (9.20-8.58 log₁₀ for SL4, 9.41-7.86 log₁₀ for ER2). Soaking, spraying, and the phage cocktail all outperformed 5% vinegar by 0.8-3.8 log₁₀; the cocktail broadened host range but had slightly slower kill kinetics. Conclusions Optimized phage application enables rapid, chemical-free eradication of MDR pathogens from foods and food-contact surfaces.
Alian et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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