Recent Development and Application of Phage-Mediated Biocontrol Strategies and Detection against Salmonella

Abstract

Salmonella has emerged as one of the most important indicators of contamination with foodborne pathogens. Thus, it is necessary to develop sensitive and stable methods for rapid detection and control of Salmonella to ensure food safety. Typically, bacteriophages, shortened to phages, can not only specifically recognize host bacteria but also lyse the pathogens to produce many progeny phages. When phages were applied to detect Salmonella, they could not only recognize live bacteria but also achieve signal amplification to improve detection sensitivity further. Meanwhile, phages can also be applied as antibacterial agents against Salmonella in raw materials in agriculture, processing environments, and extend shelf-time for food products. In this chapter, we reviewed the up-to-date research development to use phages as recognition elements and antibacterial agents for rapid detection and biocontrol of Salmonella in foodstuff and agriculture-related matrices, dissected the unavoidable challenges, and debated the upcoming prospects.