Vol. 7, Issue 12 (2018)

Author(s):
Sanem Soma Sekhar Goud, A Jagadeesh Babu, V Sasikala and R Surendra

Abstract:
The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize bacteriophages against Escherichia coli isolated from dairy farm sewage. The sewage samples (N=128) from organized, unorganized dairy farms and also from animal sheds with two to five number of cattle’s were collected and cultured to isolate Escherichia coli. The sewage samples were centrifuged and filtered using 0.22 µm filters and the lytic phages were enriched and purified against E. coli and characterized. Survival rate of target bacteria was assessed by inoculating phage in the actively growing log phage host. E. coli, which is native of sewage samples, was isolated and subjected to biochemical tests. A total of 22 E. coli phages were isolated. The SEM observations of phage revealed that the phage had icosahedral head with short tail. The in-vitro experiment showed that there was a 100% reduction in the E. coli count after 10 hours of incubation. Bacteriophages are obligate intracellular parasites that multiply inside bacteria. Bacteriophages have been used in many applications including phage therapy and in control of food borne pathogens. The bacteriophages are used as an alternative bio-control agent because they are active against bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.