Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria. Phages can lyse bacterial cells. In recent years, the technology to inactivate food poisoning bacteria by applying phage infection has attracted worldwide attention.

In our laboratory, we have isolated phage infecting foodborne bacteria from the environment and food, clarified their properties, and studied their application to the sterilization of foodborne bacteria in food. We have isolated phage infecting Shiga toxin-producing Eschercihia coli, Salmonella, histamine-producing bacteria (Morganella morganii, Morganella psychrotolerans, and Photobacterium damselae), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and verified their bactericidal effects in foods.