Dalia Kamal Rawy

Dr. Dalia Kamal Rawy

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 August 2025 in Food Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
GHGamal Mohamed Hamad
Gamal Mohamed Hamad
NANajla Mohamed Abushaala
Najla Mohamed Abushaala
NENaglaa K.F. Elshamandy
Naglaa K.F. Elshamandy
DRDalia Kamal Rawy
Dalia Kamal Rawy
RGRasha Gomaa
Rasha Gomaa
Ahmed Mohamed ZeitounAhmed Mohamed Zeitoun
Ahmed Mohamed Zeitoun

2 July 2026 in Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DRDalia Kamal Rawy
Dalia Kamal Rawy
FAFawziah M. Albarakaty
Fawziah M. Albarakaty
RERehab Mohamed Atta Mahmoud Eldesoukey
Rehab Mohamed Atta Mahmoud Eldesoukey
MAMayasar I. Al-Zaban
Mayasar I. Al-Zaban
AAAlya Aljuaid
Alya Aljuaid
RMRaghda moukhtar Moawad
Raghda moukhtar Moawad
Serratia marcescens is a nosocomial pathogen that has acquired resistance to multiple antibiotics, necessitating alternative antimicrobial strategies. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize a novel phage (ØAS2) against Serratia marcescens and evaluate its biocontrol potential in dairy matrices. In this study, a lytic bacteriophage specific to S. marcescens, designated ØAS2, was isolated from sewage samples collected in Assiut, Egypt. Phage ØAS2 was characterized using plaque assays, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), host range determination, pH and thermal stability tests, and one-step growth curve analysis. Its ability to inhibit bacterial growth and disrupt biofilms was also evaluated in vitro. TEM revealed that ØAS2 possesses an icosahedral head approximately 47.2 nm in diameter and a very short tail, consistent with the morphology of a member of the class Caudoviricetes that exhibits podovirus-like morphology. The phage exhibited a broad host range, infecting various Serratia strains as well as other Gram-negative bacteria, including Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella spp. ØAS2 was thermostable up to 60 °C and showed maximum activity at pH 8. One-step growth curve analysis revealed a short latent period of 10 min and a burst size of 115 PFU per infected cell. ØAS2 effectively inhibited the growth of S. marcescens SM02 in vitro and significantly reduced preformed biofilms at different multiplicities of infection (MOIs). When applied to skim milk and fresh soft cheese at various MOIs (Multiplicities of Infection), the phage successfully controlled bacterial contamination under refrigerated storage (7 °C for 7–10 days). At MOI 5.0, phage ØAS2 reduced biofilm biomass by 25.6%, planktonic growth by 85.7%, and achieved a reduction of 2.1 log10 CFU/mL in skim milk. These findings indicate that ØAS2 is a promising biocontrol candidate for managing S. marcescens spoilage in dairy products.