ACTIVITY REDUCTION OF LACTOCOCCAL PHAGES BY MONOSACCHARIDES, D-GLUCOSAMINE, D-GALACTOSAMINE, D-GLUCURONIC ACID AND ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS

The number of plaque forming units of different Lactococcus lactis sub sp. lactis bacteriophages was reduced within 10 min by the addition of monosaccharides like L-rhamnose, D-fructose and D-arabinose in concen trations over 100 mM. The effect of the monosaccharides was different for 4 phages. D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine and D-glucuronic acid red uced the number of active phages in concentrations under 10 mM to near ly 0% for all phages. The effect of these 3 substances was determined regarding time and concentration. The data found suggest that D-glucos amine, D-galactosamine or even D-glucucronic acid might be the determi nants of the cell being involved in the binding of lactococcal bacteri ophages or preventing the cells from infection.