WANA (Dec 28) – A team of Iranian researchers has successfully developed “Rozhan Phage,” a native bacteriophage cocktail designed to combat Salmonella and significantly reduce antibiotic reliance in poultry farms. This innovative solution aims to enhance avian health and bolster national food security through a safe, natural alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals.

 

The Breakthrough

Led by Mohammad Javad Rasaee and a group of biotechnology students from Tarbiat Modares University, the researchers engineered the Rozhan Phage Bacteriophage Cocktail. The product is specifically designed to eliminate foodborne pathogens by targeting Salmonella bacteria in poultry water and feed.

 

Bacteriophages are viruses that “prey” on specific bacteria. By integrating these native phages into the poultry supply chain, the team has provided a powerful tool to curb the transmission of Salmonella to humans, addressing the escalating global crisis of antibiotic resistance.

 

Key Features and Benefits

  • Precision Targeting: Unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, the cocktail specifically destroys pathogenic Salmonella without harming beneficial gut microbiota.
  • Safety Guaranteed: The product is entirely safe for humans, livestock, and the environment. It carries the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, aligning with U.S. FDA standards.
  • Native Innovation: The phages used in the cocktail were isolated and identified directly from domestic Iranian farms and poultry units, ensuring high efficacy against local bacterial strains.
  • Ease of Use: The solution is designed for direct application in drinking water and poultry feed.

 

Economic and Health Impact

Beyond improving animal welfare, the Rozhan Phage cocktail supports the “Sustainable Food Security” policy. By lowering the burden of Salmonellosis, the technology reduces veterinary costs, ensures the production of “green” meat and eggs, and increases consumer trust.

 

The laboratory phase of the project has been successfully completed and tested. The technology is now ready for transfer and commercialization, targeting industrial poultry farms and animal feed supplement manufacturers.

A general view shows Vafa Shelter in the city of Hashtgerd, 68 kilometers west of the capital Tehran, Iran, December 20, 2019. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency)