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Article Novel Enterococcus Phages Identified through Comprehensive Screening to Control Contamination in Chicken Meat(Wiley, 2026) Unal, Gultekin; Cengiz, Gorkem; Cufaoglu, Gizem; Acar, Bahar Onaran; Ayaz, Naim Deniz; Yildiz, Tansu; Erdinc, Ayse NurBACKGROUND Antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium are persistent contaminants in food and environmental settings, including poultry-related matrices, contributing to food safety risks and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dissemination. This study aimed to identify Enterococcus phages through environmental screening and evaluate their biocontrol potential using a chicken wing food model. RESULTS From 1719 environmental samples, 45 Enterococcus-targeting phages were isolated, and two (Efs.1 1-1 and Efm 3-10) with the broadest lytic profiles were selected for characterization. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that both phages belong to Caudoviricetes with siphovirus-like morphology, latent periods (6-8 min), and high burst sizes (90-110 PFU per cell). Whole-genome sequencing revealed complete circular genomes with estimated completeness values between 0.97 and 1.00, and no detectable virulence, lysogeny, or AMR genes. The phages were stable at pH 4 for 60 min and tolerated 40-60 degrees C for 1 h. Phage titers decreased from 10.0 to no less than 6.0 log PFU mL(-1) across all storage conditions over 12 months. In vitro assays in tryptic soy broth showed that while the control groups reached 8.56-9.12 log CFU mL(-1) at 24 h at 37 degrees C, no bacteria were detected in any of the phage-treated samples (limit of detection: 1 CFU mL(-1)). In the chicken wing food model, phage treatment maintained bacterial counts below the detection limit (<1 log CFU g(-1)) throughout refrigerated storage. Mean log reductions reached 1.78-2.78 and 3.71-4.71 log CFU g(-1), respectively. CONCLUSION These novel lytic phages exhibit strong stability and rapid antibacterial activity, offering promising biocontrol agents to reduce Enterococcus contamination in chicken meat.Article Citation - WoS: 7Citation - Scopus: 8Food Safety Awareness, Changes in Food Purchasing Behaviour and Attitudes Towards Food Waste During Covid-19 in Türkiye(Mdpi, 2023) Erol, Irfan; Mutus, Begum; Ayaz, Naim Deniz; Stowell, Julian D.; Siriken, Belgin(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought the key issues of food security, food safety, and food waste into sharp focus. Turkiye is in the enviable position of being among the top ten agricultural economies worldwide, with a wide diversity of food production. This survey was undertaken in order to gain insights into consumer behaviour and attitudes in Turkiye with respect to these issues. The objective was to highlight strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and present strategies for the future. (2) Methods: This survey was carried out between April and May 2022 in 12 provinces throughout Turkiye. Face-to-face interviews were performed with 2400 participants representing a cross-section of ages, educational attainment, and socio-economic categories. The findings were evaluated statistically. (3) Results: The results provide an insight into attitudes and behaviours, both pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic. In several ways, the pandemic enhanced knowledge and improved behaviour, leading to improvements in diet and reductions in food waste. However, worrying concerns about food safety persist. Specific attention has been given to understanding patterns of bread consumption, particularly in consideration of waste. (4) Conclusions: It is hoped that the results of this survey will increase dialogue between the components of the food sector, encourage education initiatives, and contribute to improving food safety and security and reducing food waste in Turkiye and beyond.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Genomic Characterization of Five Novel Salmonella Phages and the Assessment of Their Biocontrol Potential for the Preservation of Chicken Meat(Elsevier, 2026) Cufaoglu, Gizem; Cengiz, Gorkem; Acar, Bahar Onaran; Kardogan, Ozlem; Onmaz, Nurhan Ertas; Unal, Gultekin; Ayaz, Naim Deniz; Onaran Acar, Bahar; Ertas Onmaz, NurhanThe rise of multidrug-resistant Salmonella poses a significant threat to food safety and public health, necessitating novel antimicrobial strategies. The primary objective of this study was to characterize novel bacteriophages and assess their biocontrol potential against predominant Salmonella serotypes. A total of 84 lytic bacteriophages specific to various Salmonella enterica serotypes were isolated from wastewater sources across T & uuml;rkiye. Five phages (S.Hadar 4-5-1, S.Inf 5-2, S.Typ Adana, S.Ent 1-35-3, and S.Kent 1-2-1) demonstrating broad lytic activity to tested major serotypes (S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Infantis, S. Kentucky, S. Newport, S. Hadar, S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum) and genetic diversity were selected for detailed phenotypic and genomic analysis. These phages, four from Siphoviridae and one from Podoviridae, exhibited tolerance to thermal (up to 60 degrees C) and mildly acidic conditions (pH 4), as well as 12-month stability when stored in Tris-Buffered Saline (TBS) with 20 % (v/v) glycerol at -20 degrees C and - 80 degrees C. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed their novelty and the absence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. A cocktail formulated from these phages was applied against Salmonella Enteritidis both in-vitro (at 37 degrees C) and on artificially contaminated chicken wings (at 4 degrees C). The phage cocktail effectively reduced Salmonella counts in both environments, keeping levels below the detection limit (< 1 log CFU/g) over 24 h. For chicken wings food model, bacterial reductions reached 3.30 log CFU/g and 4.86 log CFU/g. These results underscore the potential of the newly characterized Salmonella phages as effective tools for controlling bacterial contamination on chicken meat, supporting their use as a natural, and antibiotic-free strategy in modern food safety management.
