Application of phage therapy during bivalve depuration improves Escherichia coli decontamination

• Phages were applied during cockle depuration to reduce E. coli.
• Phages inactivated E. coli in naturally/artificially contaminated cockles.
• Single phage suspensions were more effective than phage cocktail.
• Depuration with phages increased the decontamination efficiency.

The present study investigated the potential application of the bacteriophage (or phage) phT4A, ECA2 and the phage cocktail phT4A/ECA2 to decrease the concentration of Escherichia coli during the depuration of natural and artificially contaminated cockles. Depuration in static seawater at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1 with single phage suspensions of phT4A and ECA2 was the best condition, as it decreased by ∼2.0 log CFU/g the concentration of E. coli in artificially contaminated cockles after a 4 h of treatment. When naturally contaminated cockles were treated in static seawater with single phage suspensions and the phage cocktail, similar decreases in the concentration of E. coli (∼0.7 log CFU/g) were achieved. However, when employing the phage cocktail, a longer treatment time was required to obtain comparable results to those achieved when using single phage suspensions. When naturally contaminated cockles were depurated with phage phT4A in a recirculated seawater system (mimicking industrial depuration conditions), a 0.6 log CFU/g reduction of E. coli was achieved after a 2 h of treatment. When the depuration process was performed without phage addition, a 4 h treatment was necessary to obtain a similar decrease. By combining phage therapy and depuration procedures, a reduction in bivalves depuration period can be achieved for, thus decreasing the cost associated with this procedure and even enhance the quality and safety of depurated bivalves destined for human consumption.