Preliminary identification of allergens in <i>Pectobacterium </i>phage lyases for soft rot <i>Pectobacteriaciae </i>biocontrol: <i>in silico</i> approach

This thesis addresses the urgent need for sustainable biocontrol methods against bacterial soft rot, a disease that significantly impacts local agriculture. Bacteriophages have emerged as promising alternatives to chemical treatments because of their specificity and biodegradability. However, the safety of their use in food systems, particularly concerning allergenicity, remains underexplored.Using a four-point in silico strategy that follows WHO-IUIS guidelines, this study assessed the allergenic potential of six lyase proteins from four Pectobacterium phages (Arno160, vB_PatP_CB4, PP101, and vB_PcaM_CBB) through five web-based tools. The results showed that one lyase from vB_PcaM_CBB (1) shares significant sequence identity with Avenin-F, classifying it as a potential Class 1 allergen and raising concerns for individuals with coeliac disease. Additional lyases from Arno160 and vB_PcaM_CBB (2 and 3) showed probable allergenicity, which requires further in vitro validation. In contrast, lyases from PP101 and vB_PatP_CB4 showed no allergenic potential and are therefore considered strong candidates for safe biocontrol in future Next Generation Risk Assessment studies.