The antibacterial activity of endolysins against food-borne pathogenic bacteria in vitro and foods

Food-borne pathogenic bacteria cause infection and death in humans, and impose great economic losses in the food industry worldwide annually. Therefore, researchers have turned to the use of different types of antimicrobials to control pathogenic bacteria in foods. Due to the side effects of synthetic antimicrobials, much attention has recently been paid to natural ones. Endolysins, enzymes coded by bacteriophages, and their derivatives have been known as natural and safe antimicrobials which may be used to eliminate or reduce pathogenic bacteria in foods and their processing environments. Endolysins are remarkably stable under different conditions, and therefore they may have broader use in the food industry. In addition to describing the structure and production of endolysins, this review provides almost comprehensive information on using endolysins as antimicrobials against food-borne pathogens in vitro and in food models, and against their biofilms. According to the results of published studies, endolysins can be considered as a very suitable alternative to synthetic antimicrobials. The use of endolysins to control food-borne pathogens and increase food safety assurance level have been emphasized due to the rapid and specific action of the endolysins, their good stability, and lack of resistance development to endolysins in bacteria.