Gıda kaynaklı patojen bakterilerin biyokontrolünde faj terapi ve fitoterapinin birlikte kullanımı | Biocontrol of foodborne pathogenic bacteria by using the combination of phage therapy and phytotherapy

Nowadays, the antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is rapidly increasing, which makes it difficult to prevent and treat bacterial infections. This led researchers to seek alternative treatment methods for antibiotics. Among these alternatives phage therapy using bacteriophages specifically infecting bacteria and phytotherapy using plant-derived bioactive components become prominent. Within the scope of the thesis study, it was aimed to bring a different approach to phage therapy by associating these two alternative methods. For this purpose phage isolation was performed from various sources and the activity of phages on pathogenic bacteria was determined afterwards. In parallel, extraction of phenolic compounds from pomegranate peels, grape seeds, quince and black cumin seeds was carried out and antimicrobial activity of phenolic compounds on pathogenic bacteria was determined. Later, the most effective phage and phenolics were detected and the effect of phenolic extracts on phage activity was examined in both solid and liquid media. As a result of the studies, it has been found that only the black cumin extract had a positive effect on the phage activity. Conversely, pomegranate peel and grape seed extracts were found to inhibit phage activity. In addition, phages, phenolics, and phage-phenolic mixtures were microencapsulated in biopolymer matrices using spray dryer to minimize damage of physiological environment. The stability of the obtained microcapsules in simulated gastric fluid and bile salt presence was controlled in vitro. As a result of microencapsulation studies, it has been observed that this method significantly increased the stability of phages in physiological conditions and the phages maintain their viability at high titers even after two hours and more incubation in simulated gastric fluid and bile salts.