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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #404281
Research Project: Intervention Strategies to Control Salmonella and Campylobacter During Poultry Processing

Location: Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit

Title: Isolation and classification of bacteriophage sourced from poultry associated samples

Author
item FIGUEROA, JUAN - Auburn University
item KITCHENS, STEVEN - Auburn University
item PRICE, STUART - Auburn University
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item BOURASSA, DIANNA - Auburn University

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2023
Publication Date: 7/10/2023
Citation: Figueroa, J.C., Kitchens, S., Price, S., Buhr, R.J., Bourassa, D.V. 2023. Isolation and classification of bacteriophage sourced from poultry associated samples. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. 102(E-Suppl.1) 146, p. 72.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Salmonella spp. are commonly associated with poultry and is one of the bacteria responsible for numerous cases of foodborne illness. Due to the continued need for the reduction of pathogens on poultry products, there is a growing interest in alternative treatments. Bacteriophages (phages) stand out as a promising alternative antimicrobial agents with high efficiency for the food industry, including poultry. The objective of this study was to isolate and classify Salmonella Infantis-targeted bacteriophages from a range of poultry associated samples. A total of 14 samples were collected from various points of the poultry production and processing chain, including housing (litter), processing facility (scalder water, dissolved air flotation (DAF) water, DAF fat, and carcass/parts rinsing), and broiler gastrointestinal tract (ceca). Two sets of each sample were directly utilized (liquid samples) or suspended in buffered peptone water (solid samples). One set was seeded with 100 uL of S. Infantis inoculum (OD600= 1.0) per 40 mL sample and the other was not inoculated. Both sets were incubated at 37C for 24 h. These were centrifuged and filtered to separate the supernatant from debris and bacteria. Supernatants were spotted on S. Infantis to identify presumed bacteriophage lysis. Single plaque propagation was performed on potential phage-containing samples to classify plaques. Plaque clearance and size were categorized and evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed in SAS using the Kruskal Wallis Test to analyze the comparison of classification aspects among diverse samples. Significance was determined at P=0.05 and a tendency was determined at P=0.10. Phage were isolated from all scalder water (3/3), DAF water (3/3), and ceca (1/1) samples, half of the litter (1/2) and DAF fat (1/2) samples, and none of the carcass/parts rinse (0/3) samples. A tendency was observed in the clearance of plaques obtained from single plaque propagation, where scalder water samples tended to have clearer plaques compared to other samples (P=0.0963). However, when plaques were present, there was no significant difference among samples when it came to the size of plaques. The results of this study suggest that bacteriophage that target Salmonella may be isolated from multiple different poultry sourced environments for future application. Both characterization of phage isolated from various points of the poultry production and processing chain and potential efficiency of these phage as an antimicrobial agent in poultry should be further evaluated.