Characterization of SE-P3, P16, P37, and P47 bacteriophages infecting Salmonella Enteritidis

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the SE-P3, P16, P37, and P47 phages infecting Salmonella Enteritidis. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the SE phages belonged to the Myoviridae or Siphoviridae family and had plaque sizes between 0.622 ± 0.027 and 1.630 ± 0.036 mm in diameter. sefC, pefA, spvC, sopE, and gipA virulent gene regions were absent in their genome and their calculated genome sizes were between 35.9 and 37.8 kbp. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the protein profiles of each phage were different. The SE phages had a short latent period (10-20 min), large burst size (76-356 PFU/cell), and a short burst time (25-35 min). The multiplicity of infection values and mutant frequency of the phages were 0.01-0.0001 and 10^-7 , respectively. They were very infective against their host bacteria when applied at 20°C, 30°C, or 37°C and adsorbed to their host cells by 96.20-97.65% in the first 5 min of incubation, and also Ca²⁺ ions did not have a significant effect on their adsorption. The SE phages were resistant to wide pH ranges and high temperatures. These results indicate that the SE phages are good candidates as therapeutic and biocontrol agents against foodborne pathogenic S. Enteritidis.