Sensitivity of capsular-producing Streptococcus thermophilus strains to bacteriophage adsorption

C. RODRÍGUEZ; R. VAN DER MEULEN; F. VANINGELGEM; G. FONT DE VALDEZ.; R. RAYA; L. DE VUYST; F. MOZZI

LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

Blackwell Publishing

Lugar: Oxford, Inglaterra; Año: 2008 vol. 46 p. 462 - 468

0266-8254

Aim: To determine whether the presence and type of exopolysaccharides, slime-exopolysaccharide or capsular, and the structural characteristics of the polymers produced by Streptococcus thermophilus strains could interfere with or be involved in phage adsorption. Methods and Results: Phage-host interactions between eight exopolysaccharide-producing Strep. thermophilus strains (CRL419, 638, 804, 810, 815, 817, 821, 1190) and five streptococcus specific phages (fYsca, f3, f5, f6, f8) isolated from Argentinean faulty fermentation failed yoghurts were evaluated. No relationship was found between the exopolysaccharide chemical composition and the phage sensitivity/resistance phenotype. In general, the capsular-producing strains were more sensitive to phage attacks than the non capsular-producing strains. Strep. thermophilus CRL1190 (capsular-producing) was the only strain sensitive to all bacteriophages and showed the highest efficiency of plating. Phage adsorption to a capsular-negative, exopolysaccharide low-producing mutant of strain CRL1190 was reduced, especially for fYcsa and f8. Conclusions: The presence of capsular polysaccharide surrounding the cells of Strep. thermophilus strains could play a role in the adsorption of specific phages to the cells. Significance and impact: Capsular-producing Strep. thermophilus strains should be evaluated for their bacteriophage sensitivity if they are included in starter cultures for the fermented food industry.