Bacteriophage lytic enzymes as alternative antimicrobials

An antimicrobial composition effective against Clostridium perfringens comprising a Clostridium perfringens bacteriophage lytic enzyme, wherein, the bacteriophage lytic enzyme is a CP26F lysin and wherein, the isolated Clostridium perfringens bacteriophage lytic enzyme is expressed in an expression vector as a recombinant protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:

• 1 and a carboxy-terminal His-Tag, and wherein the bacteriophage lytic enzyme has activity that results in lysis of Clostridium perfringens bacterial cells.

An animal feed comprising a Clostridium perfringens bacteriophage lytic enzyme, wherein the bacteriophage lytic enzyme is a CP26F lysin, and wherein, the isolated Clostridium perfringens bacteriophage lytic enzyme is expressed in an expression vector as a recombinant protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:

• 1 and a carboxy-terminal His-Tag, and wherein the bacteriophage lytic enzyme is present in an amount effective for controlling Clostridium perfringens infection in livestock.

An isolated Clostridium perfringens bacteriophage lytic enzyme, wherein the bacteriophage lytic enzyme is expressed in an expression vector as a recombinant protein consisting of amino acids 1-158 of SEQ ID NO:3 and a carboxy-terminal His-Tag, and wherein the bacteriophage lytic enzyme has activity that results in lysis of Clostridium perfringens bacterial cells.