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Development and evolution of Lactococcus and Leuconostoc bacteriophages in dairies using undefined starter cultures, a metagenome approach (MetaPhageLAB)
Project
Project code: MRI-MBT-08-103
Contract period: 01.01.2014
- 30.06.2015
Purpose of research: Applied research
Bacteriophages (phages) attacking starter cultures in food fermentations compromise food quality and food safety. Approx. 50 % of all cheese productions in Europe are made using undefined mesophilic starters. Phage problems have been reported regularly. Due to complexity of the ecosystem our knowledge on phage source and evolution is scarce. Recent years developments in molecular biology based methods now allows for a detailed investigation on how phage develop and evolve in the dairy environment. MetaPhageLAB will provide detailed knowledge on how phages develop and evolve in dairies using undefined starter cultures by combining modern molecular biology approaches with traditional microbiological techniques. The ultimate goal is to ensure high food safety and quality by developing new strategies to reduce phage development and evolution in the dairies. The hypothesis is that raw milk, dairy environment, starter culture, and handling of starter cultures influence how phages develop and evolve but our knowledge on the importance of each of these sources on development and evolution of phages in dairies is inadequate. MetaPhageLAB will quantify the role of these sources.
Section overview
Subjects
- Food Chemistry
- Food Processing
- Food microbiology
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
MRI - Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology (MRI-MBT)