Research progress of bacteriophages and their derivatives against foodborne pathogens biofilms

SUN Xincheng; DU Yuexia; ZHOU Jun; DU Tingting; QIN Jinmeng; ZHANG Siwei; ZHANG Xiaogen

doi:10.12187/2025.05.005

Abstract：Biofilm(BF)is the predominant form of foodborne pathogenic bacteria during food processing.It has a complex structure,making it difficult for conventional disinfection and sterilization methods to eradicate it.Prevention and control strategies for biofilms are gradually becoming a research focus in the food field.Based on the severe situation in the prevention and control of foodborne pathogenic bacteria and the potential of bacteriophages as biological control agents,this review summarizes the formation process and main regulatory mechanisms of biofilms,as well as the research progress on bacteriophages and their derivatives,and the combination of bacteriophages and antibiotics in targeting biofilms of foodborne pathogenic bacteria.The formation process of biofilm generally includes the reversible adhesion stage,irreversible adhesion stage,early formation stage,maturation stage,and dispersion stage.Quorum sensing is the main factor that regulates biofilm formation.Bacteriophages can specifically target foodborne pathogenic bacteria.Their derivatives,lysin and holin,can degrade the peptidoglycan of bacteria,leading to bacterial cell lysis and the release of progeny bacteriophages.The combination of bacteriophages and antibiotics can produce a synergistic effect and improve the effect of prevention and control of biofilms formed by foodborne pathogenic bacteria.Future research will integrate the One Health concept,investigate the cross-transmission mechanism of biofilms in the"human-animal-environment"system from the fields of medicine,food,and environment,optimize the combination conditions of bacteriophages and antibiotics,and enhance the effect of multi-strategy synergistic prevention and control to better ensure food quality and safety.