Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions, including products of manufacture and kits, and methods, for purifying bacteriophage. Provided herein is are practicable methods, or protocols, that are “Good Laboratory Manufacturing Practice” (GLMP), for phage isolation, selection, liter-scaled cultivation, and purification. In alternative embodiments, GLMP protocols as provided herein employ membrane filtration processes to yield at least about 300 treatment doses at about 109 plaque-forming units with endotoxin levels within human therapeutic regulatory limits. In alternative embodiments, provided are formulations or pharmaceutical preparations of bacteriophage comprising 109 PFU, 1010 PFU, 1011 PFU, or 1012 PFU or more per unit dose and endotoxin levels below about 5.5 EU·mL?1, or below about 5.0 EU·mL?1.

Abstract: Ethanol losses due to bacterial contamination in fermentation cultures weakens the economics of biofuel production. Lactobacillus species are the predominant contaminant. Bacteriophage lytic enzymes are peptidoglycan hydrolases which degrade Gram positive cell walls when exposed externally and are a novel source of antimicrobials. The streptococcal phage ?SA2 endolysin construct demonstrated strong lytic activity towards 17 of 22 strains of lactobacilli, staphylococci or streptococci maintaining optimal specific activity under fermentation conditions toward L. fermentum substrates. Lactobacillus bacteriophage endolysin constructs LysA, LysA2 and LysgaY showed exolytic activity towards ˜60% of the lactobacilli tested including four L. fermentum isolates from fuel ethanol fermentations. Presence of ethanol (?5%) did not affect lytic activity. Lysins were able to reduce both L. fermentum and L. reuteri contaminants in mock fermentations of corn fiber hydrolysates.