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To determine if bacteriophage specific to selected foodborne human pathogens can protect against the survival and growth of human pathogens on whole and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables.
APPROACH: Determine the effectiveness of specific bacteriophages in reducing the populations of important foodborne pathogens. Determine whether combining various bacteriocins with bacteriophage will improve bacteriophage effectiveness.
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PROGRESS: 2000/07 TO 2004/09<BR>
This project documents research conducted under a Trust Fund Agreement between the Produce Quality and Safety Laboratory , ARS and Intralytix, Inc. Additional details of the research are included in the report for CRIS Project 1275-42000-003-00D, "Postharvest Survival Strategies and Biocontrol of Human Pathogens on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables." We have conducted cooperative research to determine whether bacteriophage could provide biological control of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. To be most effective in reducing the populations of L. monocytogenes, we found that the bacteriophage mixture should be applied within one hour of the produce being processed with the optimum concentration being 100,000,000 PFU/ml. This technology can be used by the fresh-cut produce industry to reduce the possibility of foodborne pathogen outbreaks and reduce their dependency on chemical control.