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.     

Diversity of lactic acid bacteria from Hussuwa, a traditional African fermented sorghum food

The diversity of lactic acid bacteria associated with Hussuwa fermentation, a Sudanese fermented sorghum food, was studied using a polyphasic taxonomical approach. Predominant strains could be well characterised based on a combination of phenotypic tests and genotypic methods such as ARDRA, rep-PCR and RAPD-PCR, as well as 16S rRNA gene sequencing of representative strains. Thus, the majority (128 of 220, 58.3%) of strains exhibited phenotypic properties typical of heterofermentative lactobacilli and of these, 100 strains were characterised more closely using the genotyping methods. The majority (97/100) strains could be characterised as Lactobacillus fermentum strains. Seventy-two of 220 strains (32.7%) showed phenotypic properties that are characteristic of pediococci. Of 41 selected strains investigated by genotyping techniques, 38 (92.7%) could be characterised as Pediococcus acidilactici strains, while three (7.3%) could be characterised as Pediococcus pentosaceus strains. The Hussuwa fermentation thus appears to be dominated by L. fermentum strains and P. acidilactici strains. For this reason, we selected representative and predominant strains as potential starter cultures for Hussuwa fermentation. These strains, L. fermentum strains BFE 2442 and BFE 2282 and P. acidilactici strain BFE 2300, were shown on the basis of RAPD-PCR fingerprinting to predominate in a model fermentation when used as starter cultures inoculated at 1 × 10⁶ CFU/g and to lower the pH of the fermentation to below pH 4.0 within 48 h. These cultures should be studied for further development as starter preparations in pilot scale studies in actual field fermentations.     

Biodiversity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented milk products in Xinjiang,China

Fermented dairy products have been produced and consumed for thousands of years in Xinjiang, China. In this study, traditional culture-dependent methods and 16S rRNA gene analyses were performed to analyze the composition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from 86 samples of traditional fermented dairy products collected from four regions of Xinjiang. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to quantify Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. The LAB isolates (N = 705) were identified as belonging to seven genera and 26 species or subspecies. The predominant species of all isolates were Lactobacillus (Lb.) delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lb. fermentum, and Lb. helveticus. The LAB counts of these samples ranged from 5.35 to 10.06 Log CFU/mL. The bacterial counts of seven lactobacilli species and Bifidobacterium ranged from 0.98 ± 0.14 Log CFU/mL (for Lb. sakei from fermented mare milk) to 9.91 ± 0.17 Log CFU/mL (for Lb. helveticus from fermented mare milk). While the microbiota was significantly different between yak and cow milk, there was no significant difference between the Tex and Zhaosu counties. In conclusion, LAB communities in traditional fermented dairy products are complex and differ among local regions within Xinjiang.     

Distribution and genetic diversity of lactic acid bacteria from traditional fermented sausage

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity of the native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population in nem chua, a popular traditional Vietnamese uncooked fermented sausage. A total of 74 LAB isolates were identified and their molecular fingerprints were obtained using repetitive-PCR (rep-PCR) and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The results revealed that the majority of LAB isolates were Lactobacillus plantarum (67.6%), followed by Pediococcus pentosaceus (21.6%). A minority of LAB (9.5%) were Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus farciminis (1.4%). A large genetic plasticity within the same species was also observed. Both rep-PCR and PFGE methods were found to be acceptable regarding reproducibility and reliability. However, this study demonstrated the higher discriminatory power of PFGE compared to rep-PCR, as observed by the higher number of clusters generated (17 and 12 clusters of L. plantarum respectively, seven and six clusters of P. pentosaceus respectively and four and two clusters of L. brevis respectively), and lower percentage of similarity among clusters in PFGE data analysis. These results also revealed that there was not a single LAB strain that was found to predominate in the product. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed analysis of the native LAB population in nem chua. As this traditional sausage is fermented naturally or only with back-slop, knowledge about the native LAB population in the product is very important to understand the microflora that has been active in fermenting the nem chua and to ensure the safety of this uncooked sausage.     

Histamine formation by histamine-forming bacteria and yeast in mustard pickle products in Taiwan

The occurrence of histamine, histamine-forming bacteria and yeast were tested in 37 mustard pickle products sold in both retail markets and supermarkets in southern Taiwan. Aerobic plate count (APC), total coliform, and Escherichia coli were also tested for microbiological quality. Salt content, pH value, titratable acidity and sulphite content were determined for quality of mustard pickle products. Only one retail market sample and one supermarket sample had 8.9 and 7.4 mg histamine per 100 g products, although the average content for each of the nine biogenic amines was less than 2 mg/100 g. Ten histamine-forming bacterial strains and 6 histamine-producing yeast strains capable of producing 8.7 to 1260 ppm of histamine in trypticase soy broth (TSB) supplemented with 1% l-histidine (TSBH) were identified as Staphylococcus capitis (four strains),Staphylococcus pasteuri (two strains), Enterobacter cloacae (four strains), Candida glabrata (two strains) and Candida rugosa (four strains). S. capitis, which was previously reported to be halotolerant, was a potent histamine-former, capable of producing more than 1000 ppm of histamine in TSBH in the presence of 0.5–10% NaCl. The numbers of the aerobic plate count (APC) in all samples were below the Taiwanese regulatory level of 5 log CFU/g. None of the samples contained total coliform or E. coli. The values of pH, salt content, titratable acidity and sulphite content in all samples ranged from 3.8% to 5.0%, 2.0% to 10.0%, 0.21% to 1.18% and <2.0–1876 ppm, respectively.     

Functional properties of novel protective lactic acid bacteria and application in raw chicken meat against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteritidis

In this study 635 lactic acid bacteria of food origin were evaluated for their potential application as protective cultures in foods. A stepwise selection method was used to obtain the most appropriate strains for application as protective cultures in chicken meat. Specifically, all strains were examined for antimicrobial activity against various Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Strains exhibiting anti-bacterial activity were subsequently examined for survival in simulated food processing and gastrointestinal tract conditions, such as high temperatures, low pH, starvation and the presence of NaCl and bile salts. Selected strains where then examined for basic safety properties such as antibiotic resistance and haemolytic potential, while their antimicrobial activity was further investigated by PCR screening for possession of known bacteriocin genes. Two chosen strains were then applied on raw chicken meat to evaluate their protective ability against two common food pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteritidis, but also to identify potential spoilage effects by the application of the protective cultures on the food matrix. Antimicrobial activity in vitro was evident against Gram positive indicators, mainly Listeria and Brochothrix spp., while no antibacterial activity was obtained against any of the Gram negative bacteria tested. The antimicrobial activity was of a proteinaceous nature while strains with anti-listerial activity were found to possess one or more bacteriocin genes, mainly enterocins. Strains generally exhibited sensitivity to pH 2.0, but good survival at 45 °C, in the presence of bile salts and NaCl as well as during starvation, while variable survival rates were obtained at 55 °C. None of the strains was found to be haemolytic while variable antibiotic resistance profiles were obtained. Finally, when the selected strains Enterococcus faecium PCD71 and Lactobacillus fermentum ACA-DC179 were applied as protective cultures in chicken meat against L. monocytogenes and S. enteritidis respectively, a significantly reduced growth of these pathogenic bacteria was observed. In addition, these two strains did not appear to have any detrimental effect on biochemical parameters related to spoilage of the chicken meat.     

Diversity of lactic acid bacteria population in ripened Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

The diversity of dominant lactic acid bacteria population in 12 months ripened Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses was investigated by a polyphasic approach including culture-dependent and independent methods. Traditional plating, isolation of LAB and identification by 16S rDNA analysis showed that strains belonging to Lactobacillus casei group were the most frequently isolated. Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus parabuchneri, and Lactobacillus buchneri species were detected with lower frequency. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) applied to DNA extracted directly from cheese samples and sequencing of rDNA amplicons confirmed the complex microbiological pattern of LAB in ripened Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses, with the significant exception of the Lactobacillus fermentum species, which dominated in several samples, but was not detected by cultivation. The present combination of different approaches can effectively describe the lactic acid bacteria population of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in advanced stages of ripening, giving useful information for elucidating the role of LAB in determining the final cheese quality.     

Diversity of lactic acid bacteria in sian-sianzih (fermented clams), a traditional fermented food in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Sian‐sianzih (fermented clams) is a popular traditional fermented food in Taiwan. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) microflora in sian‐sianzih have not been studied in detail. In this study, LAB from sian‐sianzih were isolated, characterized and identified. RESULTS: A total of 186 cultures of LAB were isolated from seven sian‐sianzih samples and 29 cultures were isolated from its main raw substrate: clams. The identification results revealed up to 11 distinct bacterial species belonging to five genera in sian‐sianzih, and three species belonging to two genera in clams. The most common bacterial genera in sian‐sianzih were Lactobacillus and Weissella, followed by Leuconostoc, Pediococcus and Lactococcus. A regional similarity in LAB, with differences in diversity, was observed in the current study. On the other hand, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis was the most common species found in raw clam samples. The results also suggested that greater LAB diversity could be observed in wild clams than in cultured ones. Furthermore, antibacterial activities of the isolates were determined, and one Weisella hellenica strain showed inhibitory activity against the indicator strain Lactobacilluas sakei JCM 1157^T. A sensory assessment of seven sian‐sianzih samples was also performed and the results indicated that diversity of LAB has a great effect on its aroma and taste formation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that various LAB species are distributed in sian‐sianzih and have a great effect on the flavor of sian‐sianzih. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

新疆塔城传统酸奶中乳酸菌的多样性及发酵特性分析

本实验通过观测发酵液的p H与溴甲酚紫平板的变色时间,从新疆塔城传统酸奶中筛选出产酸快的30株乳酸菌。通过形态特征观察与生理生化鉴定等传统方法,结合rep-PCR基因分型和16S r DNA基因序列分析对其进行鉴定,并分析不同种属之间乳酸菌的蛋白酶活性、自溶度与产酸特性的关系。结果表明:这30株乳酸菌分别为植物乳杆菌（lactobacillus plantarum）12株、海氏肠球菌（Enterococcus hirae）9株、耐久肠球菌（Enterococcus durans）3株、发酵乳杆菌（lactobacillus fermentum）与屎肠球菌（Enterococcus faecium）各2株、乳酸片球菌（Pediococcus acidilactici）与粪肠球菌（Enterococcus faecalis）各1株。7种乳酸菌在牛乳中均能正常生长,可以降低牛乳的p H,蛋白酶活性在3¹4 U之间,自溶度在3%²9%之间,其发酵特性与菌株的种属有着密切的关系。      

Selection of potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria from fermented olives by in vitro tests

The present study aims to evaluate the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from naturally fermented olives and select candidates to be used as probiotic starters for the improvement of the traditional fermentation process and the production of newly added value functional foods. Seventy one (71) lactic acid bacterial strains (17 Leuconostoc mesenteroides, 1 Ln. pseudomesenteroides, 13 Lactobacillus plantarum, 37 Lb. pentosus, 1 Lb. paraplantarum, and 2 Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei) isolated from table olives were screened for their probiotic potential. Lb. rhamnosus GG and Lb. casei Shirota were used as reference strains. The in vitro tests included survival in simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions, antimicrobial activity (against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7), Caco-2 surface adhesion, resistance to 9 antibiotics and haemolytic activity. Three (3) Lb. pentosus, 4 Lb. plantarum and 2 Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei strains demonstrated the highest final population (>8 log cfu/ml) after 3 h of exposure at low pH. The majority of the tested strains were resistant to bile salts even after 4 h of exposure, while 5 Lb. plantarum and 7 Lb. pentosus strains exhibited partial bile salt hydrolase activity. None of the strains inhibited the growth of the pathogens tested. Variable efficiency to adhere to Caco-2 cells was observed. This was the same regarding strains' susceptibility towards different antibiotics. None of the strains exhibited β-haemolytic activity. As a whole, 4 strains of Lb. pentosus, 3 strains of Lb. plantarum and 2 strains of Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei were found to possess desirable in vitro probiotic properties similar to or even better than the reference probiotic strains Lb. casei Shirota and Lb. rhamnosus GG. These strains are good candidates for further investigation both with in vivo studies to elucidate their potential health benefits and in olive fermentation processes to assess their technological performance as novel probiotic starters.     

新疆特色干酪中乳酸菌的分离鉴定

从新疆不同牧区采集工艺不同的干酪制品,对其中的乳酸菌进行分离纯化、生理生化性质试验和16S rRNA分析.结果表明,分离、纯化出的104株乳酸菌种,有82株为乳杆菌属(Lactobacillus),12株为肠球菌属(Enterococcus),10株为魏斯氏菌属(Weissella).利用16S rRNA序列同源分析和系统发育树分析对具有不同生理生化特性的代表菌株进行了分子鉴定,鉴定结果为TNM-2与干酪乳杆菌(Lactobacillus casei)、Y5-4与食窦魏斯氏菌(Weissella cibaria)、NS2-2与植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus plantarum)的同源性达到100％,NM-2与瑞士乳杆菌(Lactobacillus helveticus)、Y1-1与马乳酒乳杆菌(Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens)、WG与耐久肠球菌(Enterococcus durans)的同源性达到99％.     

Isolation,characterisation and identification of lactic acid bacteria from bushera: a Ugandan traditional fermented beverage

One hundred and thirteen strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were selected from 351 isolates from 15 samples of traditionally fermented household bushera from Uganda and also from laboratory-prepared bushera. Isolates were phenotypically characterised by their ability to ferment 49 carbohydrates using API 50 CHL kits and additional biochemical tests. Coliforms, yeasts and LAB were enumerated in bushera. The pH, volatile organic compounds and organic acids were also determined.

The LAB counts in household bushera varied between 7.1 and 9.4 log cfu ml⁻¹. The coliform counts varied between <1 and 5.2 log cfu ml⁻¹. The pH of bushera ranged from 3.7 to 4.5. Ethanol (max, 0.27%) was the major volatile organic compound while lactic acid (max, 0.52%) was identified as the dominant organic acid in household bushera.

The initial numbers of LAB and coliforms in laboratory-fermented bushera were similar; however, the LAB numbers increased faster during the first 24 h. LAB counts increased from 5.5 to 9.0 log cfu ml⁻¹ during the laboratory fermentation. Coliform counts increased from 5.9 to 7.8 log cfu ml⁻¹ at 24 h, but after 48 h, counts were less 4 log cfu ml⁻¹. Yeasts increased from 4.3 to 7.7 log cfu ml⁻¹ at 48 h, but thereafter decreased slightly. The pH declined from 7.0 to around 4.0. Lactic acid and ethanol increased from zero to 0.75% and 0.20%, respectively.

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from household bushera belonged to Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Enterococcus genera. Tentatively, Lactobacillus isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. paracasei subsp. paracasei, L. fermentum, L. brevis and L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii. Streptococcus thermophilus strains were also identified in household bushera. LAB isolated from bushera produced in the laboratory belonged to five genera (Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Weissella and Enterococcus. Eight isolates were able to produce acid from starch and were identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (four strains), Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (one strain), Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum (one strain), Weissella confusa (one strain) and L. plantarum (one strain).     

甘肃牧区传统发酵乳制品中优良乳酸菌的分离筛选

从甘肃牧区传统发酵乳制品中分离筛选适合发酵乳生产的乳酸菌,对分离纯化的乳酸菌进行了发酵性能检测,筛选出产酸快、发酵活力高、凝乳时间短、后酸化能力弱、遗传性状稳定的菌株。筛选的6株菌株单菌发酵牛乳,均在6.5 h内凝乳,发酵乳酸度＞70 °T,乳酸菌活菌数＞1×108 CFU/mL,发酵乳组织状态、滋味、气味等感官指标良好,可作为生产发酵乳的优良乳酸菌菌种进行开发利用。     

Isolation and identification of cultivable lactic acid bacteria in traditional fermented milk of Tibet in China

One hundred and seventy‐one strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from 44 traditional fermented milk samples from different region of Tibet. Among these samples, the concentrations of lactic acid bacteria varied from 10 ⁵ to 10 ⁹ colony forming unit/mL. The ratio of rod bacteria (71.3%) was higher than that of cocci (28.7%), and was considered to be the major population. Lactobacillus fermentum (31%) and Lactobacillus casei (28%) were the most predominant species among all these isolates. This study systematically analysed the microbial composition of traditional fermented milk in China, which may become a valuable source for further starter selection.     

芬兰传统发酵乳制品viili中乳酸菌的分离鉴定及其抑菌性的研究

本文对芬兰传统发酵乳制品viili中的乳酸菌进行了分离鉴定,从中分离出1株乳酸菌并通过形态特征观察、糖发酵实验、API 50 CHL试纸条及16S rRNA序列测定对所分离的菌种进行鉴定,采用牛津杯的方法对分离的菌种及其胞外多糖的抑菌性进行了研究,结果表明所分离得到的乳酸菌为副干酪乳杆菌,且该菌种的发酵液对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌具有明显的抑菌效果,对大肠杆菌的抑菌直径达到29.02mm,为进一步开发viili的保健功能奠定了基础。      

新疆蒙古族和哈萨克族传统乳制品中乳酸菌多样性的比较

传统发酵乳制品是新疆少数民族不可或缺的一类食品,为了研究同一地区不同民族传统乳制品中乳酸菌种类的差异性,从新疆和布克赛尔县采集了17份哈萨克族酸奶和8份蒙古族酸奶,通过传统培养和16S rDNA基因序列分析方法共分离得到42株乳酸菌,有30株分离自哈萨克族样品,12株分离自蒙古族样品,其中优势菌群均为Pediococcus acidilactici(乳酸片球菌)。除了优势菌群,两种样品中都分离出了Lactobacillus plantarum(植物乳杆菌)和Enterococcus durans(耐久肠球菌)。哈萨克族样品中还分离出了Lactobacillus fermentum(发酵乳杆菌)、Lactobacillus paracasei(类干酪乳杆菌)、Lactobacillus crustorum(面包乳杆菌),而蒙古族样品中分离出了Weissella cibaria(食窦魏斯氏菌)。      

Microbiological characterization of artisanal Raschera PDO cheese: analysis of its indigenous lactic acid bacteria

The aim of this research was to study the bacterial populations involved in the production of artisanal Raschera PDO cheese (Italian Maritime Alps, northwest Italy) in order to collect preliminary knowledge on indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB). A total of 21 samples of Raschera PDO cheese, collected from six dairy farms located in the production area, were submitted to microbiological analysis. LAB were randomly isolated from M17 agar, MRS agar and KAA plates and identified by combining PCR 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer analysis, species-specific primers and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biodiversity of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis isolates was investigated by RAPD-PCR. LAB microflora showed the highest count values among all microbial groups targeted. They reached counts of 10(9) colony forming unit (cfu)/g in cheese samples after 3 days of salting and 15 days of ripening. Yeast population also showed considerable count values, while enterococci and coagulase-negative cocci (CNC) did not overcome 10(7)cfu/g. L. lactis subsp. lactis was the species most frequently isolated from Raschera PDO samples at all different production stages while in aged cheeses Lactobacillus paracasei was frequently isolated. RAPD-PCR highlighted that isolates of L. lactis subsp. lactis isolated from Raschera PDO were highly homogeneous.     

黔东南地区传统发酵白酸汤中乳酸菌的益生特性及应用

本研究以发酵酸汤为试验原料,通过pH值、胆盐耐受性实验筛选性能优良的乳酸菌,经16S r RNA序列分析鉴定得菌株1-3、1-6、ST-2、ST-11,4 株为副干酪乳杆菌,ST-10和ST-12为植物乳杆菌。通过评价菌株的疏水性、黏附性、自凝聚能力,筛选出了6 株具有益生特性的乳酸菌,其中副干酪乳杆菌1-6和植物乳杆菌ST-10对二甲苯、氯仿的疏水性均大于70%,放置24 h的自凝聚率较其他菌株都较优;不同菌株对抗生素表现出的敏感性、耐药性不尽相同。结果表明：副干酪乳杆菌1-6作为发酵剂添加后对酸汤pH值、总酸度均无显著影响(P＞0.05),但是活菌数与传统老酸汤发酵效果接近。本研究筛选得到的副干酪乳杆菌1-6 是一株性能优良的益生乳酸菌,为后续酸汤发酵益生菌的开发奠定基础。     

德宏水牛乳饼中乳酸菌的分离鉴定及发酵性能研究

德宏水牛奶乳饼是云南特有的乳制品,微生物资源丰富,是乳酸菌的重要来源,也是分离筛选优良发酵剂的天然基础。本文采用16S rRNA基因序列分析法和纯培养法对15份水牛奶乳饼中乳酸菌种属进行分离鉴定,通过对菌株产酸、产香、发酵乳活菌计数等比较,以筛选出具有优良发酵特性的乳酸菌。结果表明:15份水牛奶乳饼样品中共分离鉴定出57株乳酸菌（3个属,6个种和1个亚种）,其中Lactobacillus fermentum和Lactobacillus oris为优势菌属,占总菌属的36.84%和24.56%。57株乳酸菌发酵特性比较后得到两株优势菌株MGR3-1和MBR1-1。此研究为后续开发和应用优良发酵剂提供理论基础。      

Lactic acid bacteria in traditional fermented Chinese foods

Food fermentation is a widely practiced and ancient technology in China. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are involved in many fermentation processes of Chinese traditional foods, demonstrating their profound effects on improving food quality and food safety. This review article outlines the main types of LAB fermentation as well as their typical fermented foods such as koumiss, suan-tsai, stinky tofu and Chinese sausage. The roles of LAB and the reasons for their common presence are also discussed.