Characterization and Isolation of Bacteriophages

Abstract

Attempts to isolate Arthrobacter phages were made by extracting phages from soil samples taken from sewage drain, Blind Brook river, and Van Cortlandt Park. Strains of Arthrobactersp. ATCC 21022 were cultured on LB agar or Luria broth for experiments of phage infection. Bacteriophages were not detected on plates containing mixture of soil sample diluted with phage buffer and top agar. Plaques were formed on plates containing mixture of soil sample dilated in phage buffer, top agar and 2.0 M CaCl2 concentrations. As a result, we conclude that phages form at different CaCl2 concentrations. A single type of phage was isolated from the Blind Brook river soil sample due to the constant plaque morphology.