Characterization of a novel Jerseyvirus phage T102 and its inhibition effect on biofilms of multidrug-resistant Salmonella

Biofilm, as a complex microbial community, is a serious and major safety concern in the food industry. Interestingly, some phages could effectively disrupt biofilms. This study characterized a novel isolated Salmonella bacteriophage T102, and its ability to control and remove biofilm produced by multidrug-resistant Salmonella. Phage T102 exhibited a broad host range within the Salmonella genus, especially drug-resistant Salmonella. The genome of phage T102 was comprised of 41,941 bp with 49.7% G + C composition, and with no genes associated with antibiotic resistance or virulence factors. The structural protein profile of phage T102 was subjected to SDS-PAGE and UPLC-MS/MS analysis, among them, 34 peptides were consistent with the hypothetical protein sequences annotated in the genome of T102. The biofilm inhibition assay revealed that phage T102 inhibited the formation of 6 h biofilms by two multidrug-resistant S. Typhimurium strains by 43.17 and 32.42%, respectively. 24 h biofilms formed by S. Typhimurium decreased by 54.94 and 53.67%, respectively, after 2 h of exposure to phage T102. Microscopic observation confirmed the inhibition effect of phage T102 on biofilm formation on spiked lettuce. Overall, our results support new research into the application of bacteriophage for biofilm reduction.