A novel lytic phage SF07 for biocontrol of Salmonella in food matrices: Biological properties, genomic features, and lysis system analysis

: In this study, a phage SF07 was isolated and purified with Salmonella as the host. The biological characteristics and genome sequence were analyzed, and the antibacterial effect on Salmonella in food at 4 °C and 25 °C was evaluated. The results of optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) were 0.001, the latent period was 15 min, and the burst size was 455 PFU/ infected cell. SF07 was stable at a temperature range from 30 to 60 °C and pH range from 3 to 12. Notably, SF07 showed significant tolerance to 10% NaCl concentration. The genome of SF07 was 86747-bp double-stranded DNA molecules, with a total of 128 coding sequences (CDS) and 38.95% of G+C content and phage SF07 was attributed to the genus Felixounavirus . The phage was tested against ∼3 Log 10 CFU/g and ∼6 Log 10 CFU/g Salmonella con-tamination in milk, beef, and lettuce stored at 4 °C and 25 °C, respectively. The result showed that the phage had significant inhibitory effect on Salmonella . This study shows that SF07 has good biological characteristics and gene safety, which provides theoretical basis and reference for the subsequent research and development and preparation of natural fungicides.