Biodiversity of Lactococcus lactis bacteriophages in the Republic of Belarus

We present here the first study on the isolation and characterization of the lactococcal phage content of dairy products from various regions of the Republic of Belarus. Restriction analysis with EcoRI and HindIII was used to discriminate between isolates. Distinct isolates were then further characterized by multiplex PCR analysis and transmission electron microscopy. In total, 23 unique lactococcal phages were isolated. Fifteen of them belong to the c2 species, four to the 936 species, and four to the P034 species. The isolation of such high number of P034-like phages is unusual and suggests that this rare group of lactococcal phages may be emerging in certain regions.