Research progress of types, formulation and encapsulation technology of phage excipients

Abstract:

Phage research and applications have been booming in medicine, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, and food production. However, as an alive microorganism with protein capsid, phage may encounter loss of activity, short storage, and inconvenient transportation in liquid state when being applied in the prevention and control of bacterial pollution and infection. Therefore, to find suitable excipients for phage encapsulation is an urgent problem to be solved for phage therapy. We reviewed the effects of the types, formulations, and encapsulation technologies of excipients used in phage preparations on the resistance and storage stability of phages, and summarized the major research achievements in this field. In this review, we hope to find suitable formulations and technologies of excipients for solid-state phage preparations, which will lay a foundation for the targeted delivery and release of phages and contribute to the clinical application of phage therapy.