Succession of dominant and antagonistic lactic acid bacteria in fermented cucumber: insights from a PCR-based approach

The goal of the investigation was to study the succession of major groups of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their antagonism in salt-fermented cucumber using PCR. In a direct detection method as well as a short enrichment process, PCR enabled detection of Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus during early hours of fermentation. Subsequently, Lactobacillus and Pediococcus emerged as the dominant genera. Nucleic acid sequence of culture-independent clones confirmed the detection of Pediococcus as a dominant genera emerging during late stages of fermentation. PCR also revealed time-dependent emergence of mesentericin, pediocin and plantaricin A producers and accounted for the LAB succession in the fermenting samples. A total of 328 LAB isolates were obtained collectively from 30 cucumber samples, of which PCR could identify an overwhelming 186 Lactobacillus isolates followed by 113 Pediococcus and 29 Leuconostoc isolates, respectively. Based on antimicrobial assay against target strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B640, 28% of the LAB were bacteriocin producers, of which pediocin producers were substantial, followed by plantaricin A and mesentericin producers. The bacteriocins elaborated by the isolates were active against a large number of Gram-positive target LAB strains and pathogenic bacteria including Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.     

A polyphasic approach in order to identify dominant lactic acid bacteria during pasta manufacturing

Using a polyphasic approach, we have isolated and identified, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in samples directly collected from an artisanal pasta-making manufactory located in Puglia (South Italy). Samples were collected during several steps of pasta processing and LAB were isolated on MRS and M17 plates. Furthermore, strains were grouped in a total of eight species by means of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing and 16S rDNA sequencing. The majority of strains were identified as belonging to Pediococcus pentosaceus and Enterococcus faecium species. The remaining strains were characterized and assigned to Weissella confusa, Pediococcus acidilactici, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc citreum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus plantarum species. Strains were identified from all the analysed samples, and growth of LAB was monitored from extrusion to pre-heating steps.     

眉山泡菜中乳酸菌的分离鉴定

目的：分析眉山泡菜的基本数据和乳酸菌的菌种构成。方法：从眉山市采集泡菜12 份,测定pH值、总酸度、盐度、乳酸菌计数,用16S rRNA序列分析法鉴定菌种。结果：样品pH值的范围是3.37～3.89,总酸度的范围是0.65～0.92 g/100 g（以乳酸计）,盐度的范围是4.16%～5.28%（以NaCl计）,MRS和M17乳酸菌计数分别是1.71～6.33、1.33～5.78（lg（CFU/g））。总酸度对乳酸菌计数影响最大。共分离鉴定出16 株乳酸菌：Lactobacillus fermentum（2 株）、Lactobacillus plantarum（3 株）、Lactobacillus brevis（2 株）、Lactobacillusacidophilus（1 株）、Lactobacillus casei（1 株）、Lactobacillus pentosus（1 株）、Lactobacillus delbrueckii（1 株）、Lactococcus lactis（3 株）、Pediococcus pentosaceus（2 株）。结论：眉山泡菜中乳酸菌存在多样性,实验结果为工业发酵生产泡菜积累了菌株。     

Phenotypic identification and technological properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditionally processed fish products of the Eastern Himalayas

Sukako maacha, gnuchi, sidra and sukuti are traditional smoked and sun-dried fish products of the Eastern Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. A total of 40 samples of sukako maacha (14), gnuchi (6), sidra (10) and sukuti (10) were collected and were analysed for microbial load. Population of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as well as aerobic mesophilic counts ranged from 4.7-8.3 to 5.1-8.5 log cfu g(-1), respectively. A total of 189 strains of LAB were isolated from sukako maacha, gnuchi, sidra and sukuti samples, out of which 171 strains were cocci and 15 strains, were heterofermentative lactobacilli. LAB were identified on the basis of phenotypic characters including API system as Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactococcus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Weissella confusa. LAB strains produced a wide spectrum of enzymes. Some strains of LAB showed antagonistic properties against pathogenic strains. None of the strains produced biogenic amines in the method applied. This paper is the first report on the microbial composition, mostly lactic acid bacteria, of traditionally processed fish products of Eastern Himalayas.     

Phenotypic and genotypic identification of lactic acid bacteria isolated from ethnic fermented bamboo tender shoots of North East India

Mesu, soidon, soibum and soijim are ethnic fermented bamboo tender shoot products prepared by the people in North East India. Microbiological analysis of mesu, soidon, soibum and soijim showed the population dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) ranging up to 10(8) cfu g(-1). The phenotypic characterisation of predominant LAB isolated from the fermented bamboo shoot products was based on general morphology, physiological tests, API and Biolog systems. The genotypic characterisation of LAB was based on RAPD-PCR, rep PCR, species-specific PCR techniques, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridisation. Predominant functional LAB strains associated with the fermented bamboo shoot products were identified as Lactobacillus brevis, Lb. plantarum, Lb. curvatus, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, Leuc. fallax, Leuc. lactis, Leuc. citreum and Enterococcus durans.     

市售酸奶中乳酸菌耐药性及耐药基因的检测

为探讨酸奶中乳酸菌所携带耐药基因对人类健康的潜在影响,对市售酸奶中的乳酸菌进行分离和鉴定,并通过药物敏感性实验确定菌株的耐药谱,同时利用聚合酶链式反应（polymerase chain reaction,PCR）扩增技术调查链霉素、庆大霉素、磺胺类和四环素等耐药基因的分布情况。结果表明：25 份市售酸奶样品中共分离得到56 株乳酸菌,包括26 株德氏乳杆菌保加利亚亚种、3 株植物乳杆菌、2 株嗜酸乳杆菌以及25 株嗜热链球菌。药敏结果显示,31 株乳杆菌对链霉素（87.1%）、庆大霉素（80.6%）、环丙沙星（74.2%）和四环素（61.3%）的耐药率较高,对头孢菌素类则较为敏感;而25 株嗜热链球菌同样对链霉素的耐药率最高,达76.0%;其次分别为万古霉素（32.0%）、环丙沙星（32.0%）和四环素（20.0%）。56 株乳酸菌中共检出5 种不同的耐药基因,分别为链霉素耐药基因ant(6)（检出率1.8%）、庆大霉素耐药基因aac(6')-aph(2')（检出率7.1%）、四环素耐药基因tetM（检出率5.4%）以及磺胺类耐药基因sulⅠ（检出率14.3%）和sulⅡ（检出率1.8%）。受试的乳酸菌中共有13 株检出耐药基因,其中有4 株携带两种不同的耐药基因。长期以来被认为安全并广泛应用于发酵食品领域的乳酸菌可能成为潜在的耐药基因贮存库。     

Functional properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from ethnic fermented vegetables of the Himalayas

A total of 94 strains of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), previously isolated from ethnic fermented vegetables and tender bamboo shoots of the Himalayas, were screened for functional properties such as acidification capacity, enzymatic activities, degradation of antinutritive factors and oligosaccharides, production of biogenic amines, hydrophobicity and adherence to mucus secreting HT29 MTX cells. Strong acidification and coagulation activities of LAB strains were recorded. Most of the LAB strains showed antimicrobial activities against the used indicator strains; however, only Lb. plantarum IB2 (BFE 948) isolated from inziangsang, a fermented leafy vegetable product, produced a bacteriocin against Staphylococcus aureus S1. LAB strains showed enzymatic activities and also degraded oligosaccharides. Almost all the strains of LAB were non-producers of biogenic amines except few strains. Some strains of Lb. plantarum showed more than 70% hydrophobicity. Adherence to the mucus secreting HT29 MTX cells was also shown by seven strains indicating their probiotic nature.     

Diversity of lactic acid bacteria associated with traditional fermented dairy products in Mongolia

Spontaneous milk fermentation has a long history in Mongolia, and beneficial microorganisms have been handed down from one generation to the next for use in fermented dairy products. The objective of this study was to investigate the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) communities in fermented yak, mare, goat, and cow milk products by analyzing 189 samples collected from 13 different regions in Mongolia. The LAB counts in these samples varied from 3.41 to 9.03 log cfu/mL. Fermented yak and mare milks had almost identical mean numbers of LAB, which were significantly higher than those in fermented goat milk but slightly lower than those in fermented cow milk. In total, 668 isolates were obtained from these samples using de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar and M17 agar. Each isolate was considered to be presumptive LAB based on gram-positive and catalase-negative properties, and was identified at the species level by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, multiplex PCR assay, and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. All isolates from Mongolian dairy products were accurately identified as Enterococcus faecalis (1 strain), Enterococcus durans (3 strains), Lactobacillus brevis (3 strains), Lactobacillus buchneri (2 strains), Lactobacillus casei (16 strains), Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (142 strains), Lactobacillus diolivorans (17 strains), Lactobacillus fermentum (42 strains), Lactobacillus helveticus (183 strains), Lactobacillus kefiri (6 strains), Lactobacillus plantarum ssp. plantarum (7 strains), Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (7 strains), Leuconostoc lactis (22 strains), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (21 strains), Streptococcus thermophilus (195 strains), and Weissella cibaria (1 strain). The predominant LAB were Strep. thermophilus and Lb. helveticus, which were isolated from all sampling sites. The results demonstrate that traditional fermented dairy products from different regions of Mongolia have complex compositions of LAB species. Such diversity of LAB provides useful information for further studies of probiotic strain selection and starter culture design, with regard to the industrial production of traditional fermented milk.     

Isolation,selection, and characterization of lactic acid bacteria for a competitive exclusion product to reduce shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were selected on the basis of characteristics indicating that they would be good candidates for a competitive exclusion product (CEP) that would inhibit Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the intestinal tract of live cattle. Fecal samples from cattle that were culture negative for E. coli O157:H7 were collected. LAB were isolated from cattle feces by repeated plating on deMan Rogosa Sharpe agar and lactobacillus selection agar. Six hundred eighty-six pure colonies were isolated, and an agar spot test was used to test each isolate for its inhibition of a four-strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7. Three hundred fifty-five isolates (52%) showed significant inhibition. Seventy-five isolates showing maximum inhibition were screened for acid and bile tolerance. Most isolates were tolerant of acid at pH levels of 2, 4, 5, and 7 and at bile levels of 0.05, 0.15, and 0.3% (oxgall) and were subsequently identified with the API system. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus delbreukii, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus cellobiosus, Leuconostoc spp., and Pediococcus acidilactici were the most commonly identified LAB. Nineteen strains were further tested for antibiotic resistance and inhibition of E. coli O157:H7 in manure and rumen fluid. Four of these 19 strains showed susceptibility to all of the antibiotics, 13 significantly reduced E. coli counts in manure, and 15 significantly reduced E. coli counts in rumen fluid (P < 0.05) during at least one of the sampling periods. One of the strains, M35, was selected as the best candidate for a CEP. A 16S rRNA sequence analysis of M35 revealed its close homology to Lactobacillus crispatus. The CEP developed will be used in cattle-feeding trials.     

Traditional fermented foods and beverages of Darjeeling and Sikkim–a review

The various ethnic groups of the Darjeeling district of West Bengal and Sikkim consume a variety of fermented foods including kinema (based on soya beans),gundruk (Brassica campestris leaves),sinki (radish, Raphanus sativus), mesu (bamboo shoots),churpi (milk),shel rod (rice preparation) and jnards (beers). These have not previously been investigated, and their method of preparation and consumption are reported here. The flora of murcha, the starter culture of jnards, contains mainly Pediococcus, yeasts belonging to the genera Saccharomycopsis, Pichia and Saccharomyces and the moulds Rhizopus and Mucor.     

产胞外多糖乳酸菌的筛选及抗氧化特性研究

以分离自贵州侗族、苗族传统发酵食品的36株乳酸菌为受试菌,筛选出8株高产胞外多糖（膜截留分子质量为8 000~14 000 u）的乳酸菌,分别为SR2-1（Pediococcus sp. F3S1）、SR2-2（Pediococcus pentosaceus NGRI 0304）、SR3-2（Pediococcus pentosaceus LB-WC）、SR8（Lactobacillus kimchi）、SR10-2（Pediococcus sp. 22-4）、SR12-1（Lactobacillus graminis）、H1（Staphylococcus sp. 3034O2）和XS2（Pediococcus pentosaceus GS17）,并对其胞外多糖进行体外抗氧化特性研究。结果显示,8株乳酸菌的胞外多糖均具有抗氧化活性,其中胞外多糖质量浓度为30 μg/mL时,乳酸菌SR2-2、SR8和SR12-1的胞外多糖对Fe2+的清除率分别为15.55%、12.41%、53.21%;胞外多糖质量浓度为40 μg/mL时,乳酸菌SR2-2、SR8和SR12-1的胞外多糖对1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（DPPH·）和NO2-的清除率分别达9.69%、11.93%、8.93%及5.73%、7.82%、3.82%。这三株乳酸菌显示出一定的抗氧化活性。     

A culture-dependent and -independent approach for the identification of lactic acid bacteria associated with the production of nem chua,a Vietnamese fermented meat product

In this study, the diversity of the native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population in nem chua, a popular traditional Vietnamese uncooked fermented meat, was described using a combination of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. A total of two hundred seventy-three LAB isolates were subjected to a polyphasic identification approach combining (GTG)₅-PCR fingerprinting and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthase α subunit (pheS) and RNA polymerase α subunit (rpoA) gene sequence analysis. LAB associated with nem chua were identified as Lactobacillus pentosus (21%), Lactobacillus plantarum (29.7%), Lactobacillus brevis (5%), Lactobacillus paracasei (0.4%), Lactobacillus fermentum (0.7%), Lactobacillus acidipiscis (0.4%), Lactobacillus farciminis (23%), Lactobacillus rossiae (0.4%), Lactobacillus fuchuensis (0.7%), Lactobacillus namurensis (0.4%), Lactococcus lactis (0.4%), Leuconostoc citreum (9.5%), Leuconostoc fallax (1%), Pediococcus acidilactici (1%), Pediococcus pentosaceus (4%), Pediococcus stilesii (1%), Weissella cibaria (0.7%) and Weissella paramesenteroides (0.7%). Furthermore, PCR-DGGE was also applied as a culture-independent method in this study. Results indicated the presence of species of which no isolates were recovered, i.e. Lactobacillus helveticus/crispatus, Lactococcus garvieae and Vagococcus sp. Conversely, not all isolated bacteria were detected by PCR-DGGE. Principal component and discriminant analysis disclosed correlations between the different production locations and certain isolated LAB species and strains and/or DGGE bands suggesting possible influences of locally prevailing production practices on the nem chua LAB microbiota.     

Proteolytic activity of lactic acid bacteria strains and fungal biota for potential use as starter cultures in dry-cured ham

During the processing of dry-cured meat products, sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins undergo proteolysis, which has a marked effect on product flavor. Microbial proteolytic activity is due to the action of mostly lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and to a lesser extent micrococci. The proteolytic capacity of molds in various meat products is of interest to meat processors in the Mediterranean area. Eleven LAB and mold strains from different commercial origins were tested for proteolytic activity against pork myosin, with a view to possible use of these strains as starter cultures for Iberian dry-cured ham. Proteolytic activity was tested by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The LAB strains with the highest proteolytic activity were Lactobacillus plantarum (L115), Pediococcus pentosaceus (Saga P TM), and Lactobacillus acidophilus (FARGO 606 TM). The best fungal candidate was Penicillium nalgiovense LEM 50I followed by Penicillium digitatum, Debaryomyces hansenii, and Penicillium chrysogenum.     

新疆不同地域发酵乳品中Lactobacillus多样性的研究

利用MRS,M17等5种不同培养基从12份采自新疆北部伊犁、博乐、塔城、阿勒泰地区牧民家庭传统方法制作的乳品中分离乳酸菌,并进行了生理生化表型特征鉴定。对这些乳酸菌进行16Sr RNA基因序列的测序,构建系统发育树,初步建立其属水平的进化地位,再利用乳杆菌种间特异性引物对其进行种水平的鉴定和分类。共分离164株疑似乳酸菌,大部分菌株对温度适应性较强。以杆菌为主,系统发育表明:样品中乳酸菌主要有7个属,其中Lactobacillus(78株)、Carrobacterium(3株)、Weissella(1株)、Lactococcus(22株)、Enterococcus(47株)、Streptococcus(8株)、Vagococcus(5株)。种特性扩增显示乳杆菌存在种水平的差异。主要有4个种。利用牛津杯从样品中筛选出了10株对大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)、枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)、李斯特氏菌(Listeria monocytogenes)金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)均具有明显抑制作用的乳杆菌,为乳酸菌作为生物型防腐剂应用到食品工业中奠定基础。     

Putrescine production from different amino acid precursors by lactic acid bacteria from wine and cider

The aim of this work was to study the production of biogenic amines and particularly putrescine in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) related to wine and cider. We applied an analytical protocol that involves the use of PCR and TLC techniques to determine the production of putrescine from different precursors. Moreover, we also studied the ability of the Lactobacillus and Pediococcus tested to produce histamine and tyramine. The results showed that the majority of the Lactobacillus brevis analyzed harbour both AgDI and tdc genes and are tyramine and putrescine producers. Conversely, among the other LAB tested, only one Lactobacillus hilgardii and one Pediococcus pentosaceus produced putrescine. The AgDI gene was also detected in two other LAB (Lactobacillus mali and Pediococcus parvulus), but no putrescine production was observed. Finally, hdc gene and histamine production were found in strains (L. hilgardii 5211, isolated from wine, and Lactobacillus casei 18, isolated from cider) that were not putrescine producers.     

Isolation, identification and characterisation of the dominant microorganisms of kule naoto: the Maasai traditional fermented milk in Kenya

From 22 samples of kule naoto, the traditional fermented milk products of the Maasai in Kenya, 300 lactic acid bacterial strains were isolated and phenotypically characterised by their ability to ferment different carbohydrates and by additional biochemical tests. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), especially the genus Lactobacillus, followed by Enterococcus, Lactococcus and Leuconostoc, dominated the microflora of these samples. The major Lactobacillus species was Lactobacillus plantarum (60%), with a lower frequency of isolation for Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Most strains produced enzymes such as beta-galactosidase and peptidases, which are of relevance to cultured dairy product processing, and exhibited similar patterns of enzymatic activity between species. Enterobacteriaceae could not be detected in 15 out of 22 samples (detection level 10(2)/ml). Conversely, yeasts (detection level 10(1)/ml) were detected in those samples in which Enterobacteriaceae were not found. The pH values of all these samples were < 4.5.     

Lactic acid bacteria in marinades used for modified atmosphere packaged broiler chicken meat products

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in some marinades commonly used in Finland for modified atmosphere packaged poultry meat products were enumerated and identified to determine whether the marinades contained LAB species that cause meat spoilage. The concentrations of LAB in 51 marinade samples ranged from less than 100 to 8.0 x 10(5) CFU/ml. Seventeen of the samples produced LAB growth only after enrichment, and in five samples no growth was detected either by direct culturing or enrichment. Eighty-eight randomly selected isolates, 51 from the enumerated plates and 37 from enriched samples, were identified using a database of 16S and 23S rRNA gene HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of over 300 type and references LAB strains as operational taxonomic units in numerical analyses. The predominating LAB in the enumerated samples was Lactobacillus plantarum (25 of 51 isolates). Eleven isolates were identified as Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, and nine were Lactobacillus parabuchneri. None of these species are considered specific spoilage LAB in marinated modified atmosphere packaged poultry meat products nor have they been reported to dominate in unspoiled late-shelf-life products. These results indicate that even though marinades may contain high numbers of LAB, they are not necessarily sources of specific meat spoilage LAB. Therefore, risks associated with meat quality are not predicted by quantitative enumeration of LAB in marinades.     

Characterization and identification of lactic acid bacteria in "morcilla de Burgos"

A total of 176 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from a typical Spanish blood sausage called "morcilla de Burgos" were identified by means of phenotypic characteristics and 16S rDNA RFLP (ribotyping). LAB were isolated from "morcilla" of different producers and in different storage periods, which includes unpackaged, vacuum and modified atmosphere packaged "morcilla" and vacuum packed and pasteurised "morcilla". The knowledge of specific spoilage bacteria of "morcilla de Burgos" will be useful to design new preservation methods to extend the shelf-life of this product. Identification made according to phenotypic and biochemical characteristics shows the majority of the isolates were heterofermentative LAB (93.2%) and eight different bacterial groups could be distinguished (A-G). Weisella viridescens was the main species detected (42%). In addition, Leuconostoc spp. (23.9%), Weissella confusa (11.4%) and Lactobacillus fructosus (5.7%) species were found. Few strains were phenotypically misidentified as Lactobacillus sanfrancisco, Pediococcus spp., Lactobacillus sakei/curvatus and Carnobacterium spp. and 11 strains remained unknown. Most of the leuconostocs were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Leuconostoc carnosum species. Ribotyping shows a quite good correlation with phenotypic methods, although it has been possible to identify 15 different clusters. W. viridescens and leuconostocs were also the predominant LAB. Strains identified as W. confusa by phenotypic characteristics were resolved in W. confusa and Weissella cibaria by ribotyping. Neither Carnobacterium piscicola nor Lb. sanfrancisco were identified by means of genotypic method. All Lb. fructosus strains and some more included in different phenotypic groups (17 strains in total) could not be associated with any reference strain (cluster VII).     

Agar-immobilized basil–lactic acid bacteria bioproducts as goat milk taste-masking agents and natural preservatives for the production of unripened goat cheese

Goat milk cheeses have become popular recently; however, many consumers do not choose these products because they have specific sensory properties that are not acceptable to all consumers and the shelf life of the cheese is short. The concept of this work was to increase overall acceptability and shelf life of unripened goat milk cheese by using Ocimum basilicum and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum LUHS135, Lactobacillus paracasei LUHS244, Pediococcus pentosaceus LUHS100, Pediococcus acidilactici LUHS29, and Lactobacillus brevis LUHS140) bioproducts (basil-LAB) immobilized in agar. A basil-LAB bioproduct could be a promising multifunctional ingredient for cheese manufacturing because it has a low pH, high LAB count, and high total phenolic compound content (after fermentation pH decreased by 25.4%, LAB count averaged 7.2 log₁₀ cfu/g, and total phenolic compound content increased by 30.9%). Use of different LAB in the preparation of basil-LAB bioproducts had a significant influence on cheese pH and hardness, and compared with cheese samples prepared with nonfermented basil, cheese samples prepared with basil-LAB bioproducts had, on average, higher pH (by 2.6%) and lower hardness (by 36.0%), similar to the control cheese (without basil). Overall acceptability of cheese was significantly influenced by the basil-LAB bioproduct immobilization process; in all cases, cheese samples prepared with fermented and immobilized basil-LAB bioproduct had better acceptability (5 points). After 120 h of storage, cheese samples prepared with basil-LAB bioproducts fermented with LUHS135, LUHS244 and LUHS140, no enterobacteria were found, and we detected strong negative and moderate negative correlations, respectively, of LAB count with enterobacteria count and yeast/mold count (r = ?0.7939 and r = ?0.4495, respectively). Finally, immobilization increased LAB viability in fresh goat milk cheese, which led to a reduction in enterobacteria and mold/yeast contamination during storage and an increase in overall acceptability compared with nonimmobilized basil-LAB. Therefore, basil-LAB bioproducts fermented with LUHS135, LUHS244, and LUHS140 strains can be recommended for preparing fresh goat milk cheese with extended shelf life and high acceptability.     

Technological characterization of the natural lactic acid bacteria of artisanal Turkish White Pickled cheese

The aim of this study was to characterize the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from White Pickled cheeses produced with traditional methods; and to improve the quality of cheesemaking with a selection of bacterial cultures from artisanal White cheeses. LAB were isolated and identified from 30 White Pickled cheese samples collected from various cities in Turkey. Also, the numbers of several microbial groups (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, LAB, enterococci, coliforms, moulds and yeasts) of cheese samples were enumerated. Lactobacilli, lactococci and enterococci were the most abundant microbial groups. The numbers of Enterococcus and Lactobacillus isolates were higher than those of the other LAB. Enterococcus faecalis (24.43%), Enterococcus faecium (17.61%) and Lactobacillus fermentum (19.88%) isolates were the most frequently isolated species. Lactococcus strains showed the highest acidifying activity, followed by Enterococcus and Lactobacillus strains. Proteolytic activity of Enterococcus faecalis strains was higher than that of the other enterococci species, except Enterococcus avium strains. Within lactobacilli strains, the highest mean proteolytic activity was that of Lactobacillus bifermentans, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus casei strains.