Abstract: A high-throughput process for preparing highly active phage microgels was established to enhance the applicability of phages in food safety. This method used polystyrene honeycomb membrane as the template. Through room-temperature evaporation, the polystyrene solution self-assembled to form a honeycomb-like porous film. Subsequently, phage crosslinking agent was dripped onto the honeycomb film template to fabricate phage microgels. The results indicated that more than (29.6 ± 3.42) × 104 phage microgels were prepared per square centimeter of the template, and each microgel contained (4.03 ± 2.25) × 102 phages. After stable survival at a constant temperature for 9 hours, the antibacterial capacity of phage microgels was 4.07 ± 1.28 times that of free phages. Phage microgels significantly slowed down the growth rate of Salmonella on the surface of eggs, ensuring the quality of eggs. Being an environmentally friendly approach, this preparation process not only fully retained the natural antibacterial activity of phage particles but also took advantage of the biocompatibility of the microgel carrier, thereby opening up a sustainable path for the prevention and control of biofilms on food contact surfaces, with potential for cross-disciplinary technological breakthroughs in food cleaning.

Key words: honeycomb film template; phage microgels; high-throughput; food-borne pathogenic bacteria; food biosafety