1Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding author: correspondence to Yoonjee Chang
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, highlights the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies like bacteriophages (phages). This study developed calcium crosslinked pectin films for bacterial enzyme-triggered phage release. A newly isolated lytic phage, SAC, rapidly inhibited S. aureus within 1 h at a multiplicity of infection of 1, with bactericidal activity lasting for up to 24 h. SAC remained stable across temperatures (−18 to 60 °C) and pH levels (5–10), and its genome lacked antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. SAC was incorporated into 1.5 % (w/v) pectin films crosslinked with 5 % (w/v) calcium chloride, which improved the film's moisture barrier properties by forming a dense polymer matrix and thereby enhanced the protection of phages against external humidity and desiccation. Pectinase exposure accelerated film degradation and phage release. In soy milk, the phage-loaded film reduced bacterial counts by 8.90-log CFU/mL without added pectinase, and by 10.47-log CFU/mL when pectinase was added, compared to those in control group. These results highlight the potential of SAC-loaded pectin films as a novel enzyme-responsive system for targeted antibacterial activity in food packaging applications.
현재 식품 산업을 포함한 다양한 분야에서 가장 시급한 과제는 항생제 내성 균주의 확산입니다. 항생제 내성 균은 공중 보건의 심각한 위협으로 대두되고 있으며, 이를 효과적으로 대체할 수 있는 새로운 항균 수단의 필요성이 커지고 있습니다.이러한 상황에서 박테리오파지는 강력한 대안으로 주목받고 있습니다.