Novel Bactericides for the Management of Soft Rots of Leafy Salads

Bagged salads are a relatively new and rapidly growing (7% p.a.) category for the UK’s retailers, with product development and innovation central to success. The industry, however, is hampered by short shelf life and bacterial rots, causing losses throughout the supply chain; on farm, in the factory and the home. The lead applicant (Soleco UK, a major supplier of processed salad leaves and vegetables), has identified a need to develop a solution to this problem and will partner Advanced Pest Solutions (APS), with an innovative technology to control bacterial pathogens, based on novel, naturally-occurring, highly specific and safe bacteriophage. APS has made significant advances in the potato processing industry with this technology but salad processing presents new and different challenges. Following a successful TSB Feasibility Study, we will develop and trial bacteriophage active against bacteria isolated from salads, aiming to reduce supply-chain waste by controlling food spoilage.