Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic Review
Food safety is a paramount public health concern, particularly with the rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This systematic review explores the efficacy of bacteriophages as a novel and environmentally sustainable approach to controlling multi-resistant and non-resistant bacterial pathogens in...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/3/291 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849342633912041472 |
|---|---|
| author | Rafail Fokas Zoi Kotsiri Apostolos Vantarakis |
| author_facet | Rafail Fokas Zoi Kotsiri Apostolos Vantarakis |
| author_sort | Rafail Fokas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Food safety is a paramount public health concern, particularly with the rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This systematic review explores the efficacy of bacteriophages as a novel and environmentally sustainable approach to controlling multi-resistant and non-resistant bacterial pathogens in animal-derived food products. Following PRISMA guidelines, data from multiple studies were synthesized to evaluate bacteriophage applications across diverse food matrices, including beef, poultry, seafood, and dairy. The findings highlight significant variability in bacteriophage efficacy, influenced by factors such as food matrix properties, bacterial strains, and application methods. Phage cocktails and their combination with thermal treatments consistently demonstrated superior bacterial reduction compared to single-phage applications, which yielded variable results. Interestingly, the absence of a clear dose-response relationship underscores the need for a more detailed understanding of phage-host interactions and environmental influences. This review addresses a critical gap in the literature by advocating for matrix-specific, targeted phage applications over generalized approaches. Additionally, it underscores the transformative potential of bacteriophages as sustainable alternatives to chemical disinfectants in modern food safety practices. These insights provide a framework for future research aimed at optimizing bacteriophage efficacy and scaling their application in real-world food production systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9f5726f6fd6f4557ab86f305df9e6ea2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-9f5726f6fd6f4557ab86f305df9e6ea22025-08-20T03:43:20ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-03-0114329110.3390/pathogens14030291Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic ReviewRafail Fokas0Zoi Kotsiri1Apostolos Vantarakis2Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceFood safety is a paramount public health concern, particularly with the rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This systematic review explores the efficacy of bacteriophages as a novel and environmentally sustainable approach to controlling multi-resistant and non-resistant bacterial pathogens in animal-derived food products. Following PRISMA guidelines, data from multiple studies were synthesized to evaluate bacteriophage applications across diverse food matrices, including beef, poultry, seafood, and dairy. The findings highlight significant variability in bacteriophage efficacy, influenced by factors such as food matrix properties, bacterial strains, and application methods. Phage cocktails and their combination with thermal treatments consistently demonstrated superior bacterial reduction compared to single-phage applications, which yielded variable results. Interestingly, the absence of a clear dose-response relationship underscores the need for a more detailed understanding of phage-host interactions and environmental influences. This review addresses a critical gap in the literature by advocating for matrix-specific, targeted phage applications over generalized approaches. Additionally, it underscores the transformative potential of bacteriophages as sustainable alternatives to chemical disinfectants in modern food safety practices. These insights provide a framework for future research aimed at optimizing bacteriophage efficacy and scaling their application in real-world food production systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/3/291bacteriophagesfood pathogensfood safetydisinfectionfood qualityfood hygiene |
| spellingShingle | Rafail Fokas Zoi Kotsiri Apostolos Vantarakis Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic Review Pathogens bacteriophages food pathogens food safety disinfection food quality food hygiene |
| title | Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Can Bacteriophages Be Effectively Utilized for Disinfection in Animal-Derived Food Products? A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | can bacteriophages be effectively utilized for disinfection in animal derived food products a systematic review |
| topic | bacteriophages food pathogens food safety disinfection food quality food hygiene |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/3/291 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rafailfokas canbacteriophagesbeeffectivelyutilizedfordisinfectioninanimalderivedfoodproductsasystematicreview AT zoikotsiri canbacteriophagesbeeffectivelyutilizedfordisinfectioninanimalderivedfoodproductsasystematicreview AT apostolosvantarakis canbacteriophagesbeeffectivelyutilizedfordisinfectioninanimalderivedfoodproductsasystematicreview |