A NEW SIMPLE METHOD TO PRESERVE PHAGE - PRELIMINARY STUDY PRELIMINARY STUDY

The host E. coli and its phage were isolated from sewage water. The phage infected host, E coli cells were encapsulated in alginate at specific time interval of co-cultivation, beads were stored at different temperatures. Beads were solublised to release phages and stability of released phages was evaluated by performing plaque assay at monthly interval. The number of plaque forming units increased with time of co-cultivation and by 45mins of phage-host co-cultivation, count raised from 106 to 108 pfu/ml. The infected host cells were entrapped in calcium alginate at a stage when multiple copies of mature phage are ready within host cell, and well before commencement of cell lysis.