Rapid Differentiation and In Situ Detection of 16 Sourdough Lactobacillus Species by Multiplex PCR

A two-step multiplex PCR-based method was designed for the rapid detection of 16 species of lactobacilli known to be commonly present in sourdough. The first step of multiplex PCR was developed with a mixture of group-specific primers, while the second step included three multiplex PCR assays with a mixture of species-specific primers. Primers were derived from sequences that specify the 16S rRNA, the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region, and part of the 23S rRNA gene. The primer pairs designed were shown to exclusively amplify the targeted rrn operon fragment of the corresponding species. Due to the reliability of simultaneously identifying Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, and Lactobacillus paraplantarum, a previously described multiplex PCR method employing recA gene-derived primers was included in the multiplex PCR system. The combination of a newly developed, quick bacterial DNA extraction method from sourdough and this multiplex PCR assay allows the rapid in situ detection of several sourdough-associated lactobacilli, including the recently described species Lactobacillus rossii, and thus represents a very useful alternative to culture-based methodologies.     

Application of a novel polyphasic approach to study the lactobacilli composition of sourdoughs from the Abruzzo region (central Italy)

AIMS: To characterize the lactobacilli community of 20 sourdoughs using a novel polyphasic approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: A polyphasic approach, consisting of a two-step multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and physiological features, was applied to identify 127 isolates, representing about 37% of the presumptive lactobacilli collected from sourdough samples. Multiplex PCR successfully identified 111 isolates, while 16S rRNA gene sequencing was applied for the other 16 isolates, two of which could not be associated with any previously described lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species. Strain diversity was evaluated by phenotypic and random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR analysis. Molecular detection of Lactobacillus group species was also performed on total DNA extracted from the doughs. CONCLUSIONS: Abruzzo region sourdough lactobacilli biodiversity, reflected in both Lactobacillus species composition and strain polymorphism, is similar to that of other Italian regions and is a source of novel LAB species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Within culture-independent methods, multiplex PCR is a rapid tool to study the lactobacilli population of sourdoughs.     

Rapid identification of 11 human intestinal Lactobacillus species by multiplex PCR assays using group- and species-specific primers derived from the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region and its flanking 23S rRNA

Rapid and reliable two-step multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were established to identify human intestinal lactobacilli; a multiplex PCR was used for grouping of lactobacilli with a mixture of group-specific primers followed by four multiplex PCR assays with four sorts of species-specific primer mixtures for identification at the species level. Primers used were designed from nucleotide sequences of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region and its flanking 23S rRNA gene of members of the genus Lactobacillus which are commonly isolated from human stool specimens: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii (ssp. bulgaricus and ssp. lactis), Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus paracasei (ssp. paracasei and ssp. tolerans), Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus salivarius (ssp. salicinius and ssp. salivarius). The established two-step multiplex PCR assays were applied to the identification of 84 Lactobacillus strains isolated from human stool specimens and the PCR results were consistent with the results from the DNA-DNA hybridization assay. These results suggest that the multiplex PCR system established in this study is a simple, rapid and reliable method for the identification of common Lactobacillus isolates from human stool samples.     

A one-step reaction for the rapid identification of Lactobacillus mindensis, Lactobacillus panis, Lactobacillus paralimentarius, Lactobacillus pontis and Lactobacillus frumenti using oligonucleotide primers designed from the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic sequences

Aims:  Species-specific primers targeting the 16S–23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) intergenic spacer region (ISR) were designed to rapidly discriminate between Lactobacillus mindensis , Lactobacillus panis , Lactobacillus paralimentarius , Lactobacillus pontis and Lactobacillus frumenti species recently isolated from French sourdough.
Methods and Results:  The 16S–23S ISRs were amplified using primers 16S/p2 and 23S/p7, which anneal to positions 1388–1406 of the 16S rRNA gene and to positions 207–189 of the 23S rRNA gene respectively, Escherichia coli numbering (GenBank accession number V00331 ). Clone libraries of the resulting amplicons were constructed using a pCR2·1 TA cloning kit and sequenced. Species-specific primers were designed based on the sequences obtained and were used to amplify the 16S–23S ISR in the Lactobacillus species considered. For all of them, two PCR amplicons, designated as small ISR (S-ISR) and large ISR (L-ISR), were obtained. The L-ISR is composed of the corresponding S-ISR, interrupted by a sequence containing tRNA^Ile and tRNA^Ala genes. Based on these sequences, species-specific primers were designed and proved to identify accurately the species considered among 30 reference Lactobacillus species tested.
Conclusions:  Designed species-specific primers enable a rapid and accurate identification of L. mindensis , L. paralimentarius , L. panis , L. pontis and L. frumenti species among other lactobacilli.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The proposed method provides a powerful and convenient means of rapidly identifying some sourdough lactobacilli, which could be of help in large starter culture surveys.     

Multiplex PCR for the detection of Lactobacillus pontis and two related species in a sourdough fermentation

A specific multiplex PCR assay based on the amplification of parts of the 16S rRNA molecule was designed. Primers derived from variable regions of the 16S rRNA provided a means of easily differentiating the species Lactobacillus pontis and Lactobacillus panis. They could be clearly discriminated from the phylogenetically related species Lactobacillus vaginalis, Lactobacillus oris, and Lactobacillus reuteri and from other lactobacilli commonly known to be present in sourdough. Other strains isolated together with L. pontis from an industrial sourdough fermentation could be clearly separated from these species by comparative sequence analysis and construction of a specific PCR primer. For a fast identification a DNA isolation protocol based on the ultrasonic lysis of cells from single colonies was developed. To demonstrate the potential of such techniques for tracking these organisms in a laboratory-scale fermentation, we combined the specific PCR assay with direct DNA extraction from the organisms in the sourdough without previous cultivation.     

Multiplex PCR for the Detection of Lactobacillus pontis and Two Related Species in a Sourdough Fermentation

A specific multiplex PCR assay based on the amplification of parts of the 16S rRNA molecule was designed. Primers derived from variable regions of the 16S rRNA provided a means of easily differentiating the species Lactobacillus pontis and Lactobacillus panis. They could be clearly discriminated from the phylogenetically related species Lactobacillus vaginalis, Lactobacillus oris, and Lactobacillus reuteri and from other lactobacilli commonly known to be present in sourdough. Other strains isolated together with L. pontis from an industrial sourdough fermentation could be clearly separated from these species by comparative sequence analysis and construction of a specific PCR primer. For a fast identification a DNA isolation protocol based on the ultrasonic lysis of cells from single colonies was developed. To demonstrate the potential of such techniques for tracking these organisms in a laboratory-scale fermentation, we combined the specific PCR assay with direct DNA extraction from the organisms in the sourdough without previous cultivation.     

Rapid identification of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in probiotic products using multiplex PCR

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract and reinforce immunity in human health. Recently, many functional products using the lactic acid bacteria have been developed. Among these LAB, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum are frequently used for probiotic products. In order to monitor these LAB in commercial probiotic products, a multiplex PCR method was developed. We designed four species-specific primer pairs for multiplex PCR from the 16S rRNA, 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region, and 23S rRNA genes in Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Using these primer pairs, 4 different LAB were detected with high specificity in functional foods. We suggest that the multiplex PCR method developed in this study would be an efficient tool for simple, rapid, and reliable identification of LAB used as probiotic strains.     

Rapid species identification within two groups of closely related lactobacilli using PCR primers that target the 16S/23S rRNA spacer region

A rapid and reliable PCR-based method for distinguishing closely related species within two groups of lactobacilli is described. Primers complementary to species-specific sequences in the 16S/23S rDNA spacer regions were designed after sequencing and sequence comparison of the spacer regions of 32 strains. The strains belong to two groups of closely related Lactobacillus species; one composed of Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus graminis and Lactobacillus sake, the other of Lactobacillus paraplantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus plantarum. PCR assays with the designed primers and subsequent agarose gel analysis of the amplified fragments allowed the same species identification as the DNA/DNA hybridization procedure.     

The use of multiplex PCR reactions to characterize populations of lactic acid bacteria associated with meat spoilage

A rapid, systematic and reliable approach for identifying lactic acid bacteria associated with meat was developed, allowing for detection of Carnobacterium spp., Lactobacillus curvatus, Lact. sakei and Leuconostoc spp. Polymerase chain reaction primers specific for Carnobacterium and Leuconostoc were created from 16S rRNA oligonucleotide probes and used in combination with species-specific primers for the 16S/23S rRNA spacer region of Lact. curvatus and Lact. sakei in multiplex PCR reactions. The method was used successfully to characterize lactic acid bacteria isolated from a vacuum-packaged pork loin stored at 2 degrees C. Seventy isolates were selected for identification and 52 were determined to be Lact. sakei, while the remaining 18 isolates were identified as Leuconostoc spp.     

Identification of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria

Selective culture media and phenotypic tests enable lactobacilli to be differentiated from morphologically similar bacteria. The accurate identification of Lactobacillus species can be accomplished by reference to 16S rRNA gene sequences. Species-specific, PCR primers that target the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region are available for a limited number of Lactobacillus species. Molecular methods for the comprehensive identification of Bifidobacterium species are not yet available. Only DNA-DNA reassociation provides a reliable means of species identification for this genus at present. Bifidobacteria can be differentiated from morphologically similar bacteria by the use of genus-specific, PCR primers or oligonucleotide probes.     

Rapid identification of the three major species of dairy obligate heterofermenters Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus parabuchneri by species-specific duplex PCR

In this study, the biodiversity of 154 strains of lactic acid bacteria, including 112 dairy product isolates presumptively identified as obligately heterofermentative lactobacilli (OHL) by classical microbiological tests, as well as 23 OHL-type strains, was investigated by PCR-based methods and gene sequencing. Using these techniques, 51% of the cheese isolates were actually identified as OHL. The non-OHL isolates were identified to the Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Weisella, Pediococcus or Streptococcus genera. Among the OHL cheese isolates, five species were directly identified including three of the most frequently isolated species -Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus parabuchneri and Lactobacillus brevis- and two rarely isolated species - Lactobacillus diolivorans and Lactobacillus reuteri. A sixth group made up of two dairy isolates was also identified and according to 16S rRNA gene and intergenic spacer region (ISR) sequencing data corresponded to Lactobacillus sp. and may constitute a new species. Species-specific primers were designed for the rapid and reliable detection of the three most frequently isolated species by species-specific duplex PCR.     

Development of a genotyping method for potato scab pathogens based on multiplex PCR

Scab disease significantly damages potato and other root crops. Streptomyces scabiei, S. acidiscabiei, and S. turgidiscabiei are the best-known causal agents of this disease. We have developed a novel genotyping method for these potato scab pathogens using multiplex PCR, whose benefits include rapid and easy detection of multiple species. We designed a species-specific primer set (6 primers, 3 pairs) for the 16S rRNA genes and 16S-23S ITS regions of these potato scab pathogens. The specificity of the primer set was confirmed by testing 18 strains containing potato scab pathogens, other Streptomyces species, and strains of other genera. The application of the developed method to potato field soil and potato tissue samples resulted in the clear detection and identification of pathogens. Since this method is applicable to a large number of environmental samples, it is expected to be useful for a high-throughput analysis of soil and plant tissues of scab disease.     

Development of a Genotyping Method for Potato Scab Pathogens Based on Multiplex PCR

Scab disease significantly damages potato and other root crops. Streptomyces scabiei, S. acidiscabiei, and S. turgidiscabiei are the best-known causal agents of this disease. We have developed a novel genotyping method for these potato scab pathogens using multiplex PCR, whose benefits include rapid and easy detection of multiple species. We designed a species-specific primer set (6 primers, 3 pairs) for the 16S rRNA genes and 16S–23S ITS regions of these potato scab pathogens. The specificity of the primer set was confirmed by testing 18 strains containing potato scab pathogens, other Streptomyces species, and strains of other genera. The application of the developed method to potato field soil and potato tissue samples resulted in the clear detection and identification of pathogens. Since this method is applicable to a large number of environmental samples, it is expected to be useful for a high-throughput analysis of soil and plant tissues of scab disease.     

Development of PCR assays for detection of Streptococcus canis

Streptococcus canis isolates, also including S. canis of artificially contaminated milk, could be identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using oligonucleotide primers designed according to species-specific parts of the 16S rRNA gene and, after sequencing, according to S. canis-specific parts of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region and with oligonucleotide primers detecting an internal fragment of the group G streptococcal CAMP factor gene cfg. The 16S rRNA gene- and CAMP factor gene cfg-specific oligonucleotide primers could be used together in a multiplex PCR. No cross-reactivities could be observed with other group G streptococcal isolates or with any of the other control strains of various streptococcal species and serogroups. The PCR methods presented in this study allowed a rapid and reliable identification of S. canis and might help to improve the diagnosis of this bacterial species in animal and human infections.     

Development of specific and rapid detection of bacterial pathogens in dairy products by PCR

A simple and specific method for direct detection of bovine mastitis pathogens (Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS), Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) in milk products, bacterial samples from milk and isolated bacterial DNA was developed. The method is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using sequence-specific primers only for GBS and species-specific primers derived from 16S and 23S rRNA for all chosen species. The presence of the gene of surface immunogenic protein (Sip) in bovine GBS isolates, described previously only in human GBS isolates was confirmed. The GBS detection was performed with the sequence coding for surface immunogenic protein from GBS human isolates designated as Sip specific sequence (SSS); this sequence was selected for specific primer design. The sequence is unique for GBS and was designed from a consensus of all known sip genes. The specific identification was shown on a collection of 75 GBS bovine isolates from different localities in Slovakia. All isolates were positive to SSS, 16S and 23S rRNA sequence. The 16S and 23S rRNA PCR detection was also performed with S. aureus and E. coli isolates and specific PCR products were also detected. The detection limit of this assay for milk products was 6 CFU/microL (i.e. 6000 CFU/mL) for GBS and E. coli, and 16 CFU/microL for S. aureus. This rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic method can be performed within hours and represents an innovative diagnostic tool for the detection of milk pathogens in dairy products.     

Rapid identification of the species of the Bacteroides fragilis group by multiplex PCR assays using group- and species-specific primers

We report a rapid and reliable two-step multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify the 10 Bacteroides fragilis group species - Bacteroides caccae, B. distasonis, B. eggerthii, B. fragilis, B. merdae, B. ovatus, B. stercoris, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. uniformis and B. vulgatus. These 10 species were first divided into three subgroups by multiplex PCR-G, followed by three multiplex PCR assays with three species-specific primer mixtures for identification to the species level. The primers were designed from nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA, the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region and part of the 23S rRNA gene. The established two-step multiplex PCR identification scheme was applied to the identification of 155 clinical isolates of the B. fragilis group that were previously identified to the species level by phenotypic tests. The new scheme was more accurate than phenotypic identification, which was accurate only 84.5% of the time. The multiplex PCR scheme established in this study is a simple, rapid and reliable method for the identification of the B. fragilis group species. This will permit more accurate assessment of the role of various B. fragilis group members in infections and of the degree of antimicrobial resistance in each of the group members.     

Detection of alcohol-tolerant hiochi bacteria by PCR.

We report a sensitive and rapid method for detection of hiochi bacteria by PCR. This method involves the electrophoresis of amplified DNA. Nucleotide sequences of the spacer region between 16S and 23S rRNA genes of 11 Lactobacillus strains were identified by analysis of PCR products. Five primers were designed by analysis of similarities among these sequences. A single cell of Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei could be detected when purified genomic DNA was used as the template. When various cell concentrations of L. casei subsp. casei were added to 50 ml of pasteurized sake and the cells were recovered, the detection limit was about one cell. No discrete band was observed in electrophoresis after PCR when human, Escherichia coli, mycoplasma, Acholeplasma, yeast, or mold DNA was used as the template.     

Reverse dot blot hybridization: A useful method for the direct identification of lactic acid bacteria in fermented food

Abstract A rapid method for a reliable and simultaneous identification of different lactic acid bacteria in fermented food has been developed. Various 16S and 23S rRNA-targeted, species-specific oligonucleotides were applied as capture probes in a non-radioactive reverse dot blot hybridization. A simple and fast DNA extraction method in combination with in vitro amplification of rRNA gene fragments enables the direct detection of typical starter organisms without any preceding enrichment or cultivation steps. Various lactic acid bacteria occurring in cheese, yogurt, sausages, sauerkraut and sourdough could be identified at the species level within 1 day.     

Identification of Lactobacillus alimentarius and Lactobacillus farciminis with 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region polymorphism and PCR amplification using species-specific oligonucleotide

AIMS: The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method was used to differentiate Lactobacillus species having closely related identities in the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR). Species-specific primers for Lact. farciminis and Lact. alimentarius were designed and allowed rapid identification of these species. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 16S-23S rDNA spacer region was amplified by primers tAla and 23S/p10, then digested by HinfI and TaqI enzymes and analysed by electrophoresis. Digestion by HinfI was not sufficient to differentiate Lact. sakei, Lact. curvatus, Lact. farciminis, Lact. alimentarius, Lact. plantarum and Lact. paraplantarum. In contrast, digestion carried out by TaqI revealed five different patterns allowing these species to be distinguished, except for Lact. plantarum from Lact. paraplantarum. The 16S-23S rDNA spacer region of Lact. farciminis and Lact. alimentarius were amplified and then cloned into vector pCR(R)2.1 and sequenced. The DNA sequences obtained were analysed and species-specific primers were designed from these sequences. The specificity of these primers was positively demonstrated as no response was obtained for 14 other species tested. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The species-specific primers for Lact. farciminis and Lact. alimentarius were shown to be useful for identifying these species among other lactobacilli. The RFLP profile obtained upon digestion with HinfI and TaqI enzymes can be used to discriminate Lact. farciminis, Lact. alimentarius, Lact. sakei, Lact. curvatus and Lact. plantarum. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this paper, we have established the first species-specific primer for PCR identification of Lact. farciminis and Lact. alimentarius. Both species-specific primer and RFLP, could be used as tools for rapid identification of lactobacilli up to species level.