Detection and Characterization of a Lytic Pediococcus Bacteriophage from the Fermenting Cucumber Brine

Of the twelve lytic bacteriophages recovered from five different fermenting cucumber tanks that were inoculated with Pediococcus sp. LA0281, a lytic phage, φps05, was characterized in the present study. The plaques were mostly clear and round-shaped on the lawn of starter strain, indicating lytic phage. Overall appearance indicated that it belongs to the Siphoviridae family or Bradley's group B1, with a small isometric head and a flexible noncontractile tail with swollen base plate. The average size was found to be 51.2 nm in head diameter and 11.6 nm wide × 129.6 nm long for the tail.