| dc.description.abstract | Salmonella, a common foodborne pathogen, is responsible for an estimated 1.2 million illnesses each year in the United States. Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically kill bacteria, have been studied as an alternative to antibiotics as resistance to antibiotics in bacteria has become more prevalent. Although single phages can have strong antibacterial activity, bacteria can develop resistance to them. In this study, bacteriophage infection of Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 was observed in order to make an effective cocktail of phages that can be further studied and utilized in treatment of agricultural products. Through use of a cocktail, multiple phages with genetically independent resistance mechanisms may prevent a cell from developing resistance against all phages. The cocktail’s effectiveness will be measured and compared to several single strains of bacteriophage known to be effective against Salmonella based on previous studies found on its host range specificity. | en |
