酱醪中魏斯氏菌的分离及特性分析

【背景】魏斯氏菌广泛存在于发酵食品中,它们与食品发酵进程和风味物质的形成密切相关。酱油发酵过程酱醪中细菌的优势菌属是魏斯氏菌,研究魏斯氏菌的生理和代谢特性对于揭示菌株对环境的适应性和与酱油发酵相关的功能具有重要意义。【目的】从酱油酱醪中分离获得魏斯氏菌属中主要种的菌株,研究它们在酱油发酵过程的数量变化以及菌株的生理和生化特性,阐明菌株对酱油发酵体系的适应性和与酱油发酵相关的特性。【方法】通过菌株绝对数量的定量分析和耐受性比较,以及考察高盐条件下魏斯氏菌合成短链脂肪酸、胞外多糖、生物胺和氨基甲酸乙酯或其前体等特性,研究各类魏斯氏菌对酱油发酵和其安全性的影响。【结果】从高盐稀态酱油的酱醪中共分离得到16株魏斯氏菌,分别属于融合魏斯氏菌(Weissella confusa)、类肠膜魏斯氏菌(Weissellaparamesenteroides)和食窦魏斯氏菌(Weissellacibaria)。其中类肠膜魏斯氏菌可耐受高盐条件,是酱醪中魏斯氏菌属的主要菌种。它们合成短链脂肪酸的能力高于融合魏斯氏菌和食窦魏斯氏菌。酱醪来源的魏斯氏菌合成氨(胺)类危害物的特性区别较大,类肠膜魏斯氏菌的部分菌株产生物胺并可利用精氨酸积累瓜氨酸,食窦魏斯氏菌则能够降解多种生物胺。【结论】揭示了酱醪中主要魏斯氏菌的耐盐特性、在较低温度下生长情况和物质代谢规律,对于阐明魏斯氏菌与酱油发酵相关的功能和特性以及对酱油加工过程安全控制具有重要意义。     

A genus-specific PCR method for differentiation between Leuconostoc and Weissella and its application in identification of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria from coffee fermentation

A genus-specific PCR analysis method was developed for a rapid and reliable differentiation between the two heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria genera Leuconostoc and Weissella. Primer sets specific for target regions of the 16S rRNA genes were designed and the specificity of the PCR was evaluated using the type strains of 13 species of Leuconostoc and 11 species of Weissella. In addition, the newly developed genus-specific PCR analysis was applied to characterize 72 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from coffee fermentation and which were presumptively classified as Leuconostoc or Weissella species. Additionally, a total of 34 LAB isolates from various other fermented foods were included. The investigations of these strains were conducted to test the effectiveness of correct characterization of field isolates using the genus-specific PCR approach. The correct assignment to one of these two genera by the application of the genus-specific primers was confirmed by further identifying the strains using repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.     

Molecular diversity of leuconostoc mesenteroides and leuconostoc citreum isolated from traditional french cheeses as revealed by RAPD fingerprinting, 16S rDNA sequencing and 16S rDNA fragment amplification

For a long time, the identification of the Leuconostoc species has been limited by a lack of accurate biochemical and physiological tests. Here, we use a combination of RAPD, 16S rDNA sequencing, and 16S rDNA fragment amplification with specific primers to classify different leuconostocs at the species and strain level. We analysed the molecular diversity of a collection of 221 strains mainly isolated from traditional French cheeses. The majority of the strains were classified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides (83.7%) or Leuconostoc citreum (14%) using molecular techniques. Despite their presence in French cheeses, the role of L. citreum in traditional technologies has not been determined, probably because of the lack of strain identification criteria. Only one strain of Leuconostoc lactis and Leuconostoc fallax were identified in this collection, and no Weissella paramesenteroides strain was found. However, dextran negative variants of L. mesenteroides, phenotypically misclassified as W. paramesenteroides, were present. The molecular techniques used did not allow us to separate strains of the three L. mesenteroides subspecies (mesenteroides, dextranicum and cremoris). In accordance with previously published results, our findings suggest that these subspecies may be classified as biovars. Correlation found between phenotypes dextranicum and mesenteroides of L. mesenteroides and cheese technology characteristics suggests that certain strains may be better adapted to particular technological environments.     

芝麻香型白酒发酵过程中乳酸菌多样性及其演替规律

【背景】乳酸菌是白酒发酵过程中一类非常重要的微生物,其种类及动态变化对于白酒品质具有重要影响。然而,目前对于芝麻香型白酒发酵过程中乳酸菌群落结构及其演替规律的认识并不全面。【目的】揭示芝麻香型白酒发酵过程中乳酸菌的多样性及菌群的演替规律,为更好地探索白酒酿造机理和控制白酒品质提供生物学依据。【方法】利用高通量测序技术对芝麻香型白酒发酵过程中乳酸菌菌群演替进行跟踪分析,同时采用实时荧光定量PCR对发酵过程中乳酸菌的生物量进行定量分析。【结果】高通量测序结果显示,芝麻香型白酒发酵过程涉及5个属的乳酸菌:魏斯氏菌属(Weissella)、片球菌属(Pediococcus)、乳杆菌属(Lactobacillus)、明串珠菌属(Leuconostoc)和乳球菌属(Lactococcus),共计43种乳酸菌。其中,在发酵过程中平均相对丰度大于0.5%的乳酸菌有10种,分别是类肠膜魏斯氏菌(Weissella paramesenteroides)、食窦魏斯氏菌(Weissella cibaria)、融合魏斯氏菌(Weissella confusa)、戊糖片球菌(Pediococcus pentosaceus)、假肠膜明串珠菌(Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides)、发酵乳杆菌(Lactobacillus fermentum)、植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus plantarum)、副干酪乳杆菌(Lactobacillus paracasei)、耐酸乳杆菌(Lactobacillus acetotolerans)和Lactobacillus sp.。在堆积发酵过程中,Weissella属占细菌总量的50%以上,其次是Pediococcus属和Lactobacillus属,而Leuconostoc属和Lactococcus属相对较少。在窖池发酵过程中Lactobacillus属的乳酸菌逐渐成为优势细菌,尤其是Lactobacillus sp.在窖池发酵中后期相对丰度达到80%以上。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,在堆积发酵和窖池发酵前期乳酸菌总量变化不大;从窖池发酵5 d开始,乳酸菌总量迅速上升,30 d时达到最大值。【结论】对白酒发酵过程中乳酸菌种类及动态变化的研究有助于探究白酒酿造过程中乳酸菌功能,进而解析白酒酿造机理,最终达到控制白酒品质的目的。     

Characterization of strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides by analysis of soluble whole-cell protein pattern, DNA fingerprinting and restriction of ribosomal DNA

Of 215 leuconostocs isolated from field grass, natural whey cultures and water-buffalo milk, 178 were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides while 37 strains could not be identified Biochemical characterization allowed seven groups to be defined. Representative strains of each group and different habitat and nine reference strains were selected for further analyses. Protein profiles appeared suitable for species discrimination, but did not differentiate between the three subspecies of Leuc. mesenteroides. The technique also showed some differences among equivocal strains. DNA fingerprinting for most strains of Leuc. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides examined showed a different restriction pattern from that of the type strain. Ribotyping was not useful for discriminating species and subspecies of the genus Leuconostoc: Leuc. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides and ssp. dextranicum showed the same ribopattern as Leuc. lactis while Leuc. mesenteroides ssp. cremoris exhibited a pattern distinct from all the other species examined. On the basis of ARDRA-PCR, two main groups could be distinguished: the larger group included Leuc. mesenteroides, Leuc. lactis, Leuc. pseudomesenteroides and some unidentifiable strains; the second one included Leuc. citreum, Leuc. fallax, Weissella paramesenteroides and some unidentified strains.     

Lactobacillus perolens sp. nov., a soft drink spoilage bacterium.

Lactic acid bacteria that are able to spoil soft drinks with low pH comprise a limited number of acidotolerant or acidophilic species of the genera Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Weissella. Various Gram-positive rods causing turbidity and off-flavour were isolated from orange lemonades. Physiological and biochemical studies including SDS-PAGE whole-cell protein analysis showed a homogeneous group of organisms. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of two representatives revealed that they formed a phylogenetically distinct line within the genus Lactobacillus. All strains were facultatively heterofermentative, producing L-lactic acid. Based on the data presented a new species L. perolens is proposed. The name refers to the off-flavour caused by high amounts of diacetyl. The type strain of L. perolens is DSM 12744 (LMG 18936). A rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probe was designed that allows a fast and reliable identification of L. perolens.     

Variations in the membrane fatty acid composition of resistant or susceptible Leuconostoc or Weissella strains in the presence or absence of Mesenterocin 52A and Mesenterocin 52B produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides FR52

Mesenterocins 52A (Mes52A) and 52B (Mes52B) are antimicrobial peptides produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides FR 52. Mes52A is a class IIa bacteriocin of lactic acid bacteria with a broad spectrum of activity. Mes52B is an atypical class II bacteriocin with a narrow spectrum of activity. Four Leuconostoc and Weissella wild-type strains were selected for their susceptibility or insensitivity to these mesenterocins. Four strains resistant to Mes52A or Mes52B were generated from the three susceptible wild-type strains by increasing bacteriocin concentrations in culture media. These resistant strains were at least 30 times more resistant than the wild-type strains. No cross-resistance to Mes52A and Mes52B was observed in these strains. No significant differences in membrane fatty acid composition were observed among the three susceptible wild-type strains and the four resistant strains cultured in MRS broth. Thus, the mesenterocin resistance is unlikely to be due to changes in membrane fatty acid composition. When cultured with Mes52A or Mes52B, the membranes of insensitive and resistant strains contained more saturated fatty acids (1 to 10% more) and less unsaturated fatty acids (3 to 6% less), resulting in a more rigid membrane. Thus, the presence of mesenterocin in the culture media of insensitive or resistant strains induced a significant increase in saturated fatty acid contents and a decrease in unsaturated fatty acid contents. Weissella paramesenteroides DSM 20288BR, resistant to Mes52B, responded atypically, probably due to the production of an inhibitor.     

A rapid method for identification of typical Leuconostoc species by 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method was developed to detect and identify typical Leuconostoc species. This method utilises a set of specific primers for amplification of the 16S rDNA region of typical Leuconostoc species. All Leuconostoc-type strains, all Leuconostoc isolates from kimchi, Korea's traditional, fermented vegetable product, and strains from closely related genera were examined to verify the identification by this method. The primers resulted in amplification only for nine typical Leuconostoc spp., but not for any other genera tested. The size of the amplified products was 976 bp and the amplicons of the different species could be differentiated from each other with MseI, HaeIII and Tsp509I endonucleases, except for the species Leuconostoc argentinum and Leuconostoc lactis, which were indistinguishable. A PCR-RFLP method for the typical Leuconostoc species was optimized to identify a large number of isolates from fermented vegetable product. This PCR-RFLP method enables the rapid and reliable identification of Leuconostoc species and to distinguish them from the other phylogenetically related lactic acid bacteria in food samples.     

Diversity and technological properties of predominant lactic acid bacteria from fermented cassava used for the preparation of Gari, a traditional African food

Traditional fermentation of cassava is dominated by a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population. Fermentation is important for improving product flavour and aroma as well as safety, especially by reduction of its toxic cyanogenic glucosides. The production of Gari from cassava in Benin typically occurs on a household or small industrial scale, and consequently suffers from inconsistent product quality and may not always be safe for consumption. Therefore, the diversity of LAB from a typical cassava fermentation for the preparation of Gari, and their technologically relevant characteristics were investigated with a view towards selection of appropriate starter cultures. A total of 139 predominant strains isolated from fermenting cassava were identified using phenotypic tests and genotypic methods such as rep-PCR and RAPD-PCR. DNA-DNA hybridisation and sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes were done for selected strains. Lactobacillus plantarum was the most abundantly isolated species (54.6% of isolates), followed by Leuconostoc fallax (22.3%) and Lactobacillus fermentum (18.0%). Lactobacillus brevis, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides and Weissella paramesenteroides were sporadically isolated. The L. plantarum strains were shown to be better acid producers and capable of faster acid production than the L. fallax or L. fermentum strains. The incidence of beta-glucosidase (linamarase) activity was also highest among strains of this species. Production of antagonistic substances such as H2O2 and bacteriocins, however, was more common among L. fallax and L. fermentum strains. Strains of all three species were capable of utilising the indigestible sugars raffinose and stachyose. Therefore, a starter culture containing a mixture of strains from all three species was recommended.     

Isolation and identification of cultivable lactic acid bacteria in traditional yak milk products of Gansu Province in China

Various traditional fermented yak milk and raw milk foods could be considered as an abundant resource for obtaining novel lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with unique properties. Eighty-eight samples of yak milk products were collected from Gansu Province in China. Three hundred and nineteen strains of LAB isolated from these samples were identified by phenotypic methods, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) technology. Among the isolates, one hundred and sixty-four isolates (51.41% of the total) were classified under Lactobacilli, and one hundred and fifty-five (48.59%) belonged to cocci. All the isolates were classified to six genera (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Weissella) and twenty-one species. Lactobacillus helveticus (87 strains), Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (49 strains), Streptococcus thermophilus (39 strains), Lactobacillus casei (31 strains) and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (19 strains) were considered as the predominant populations in the yak milk products. The results showed that there were abundant genus and species LAB existing in yak milk products in Gansu Province in China. The obtained LAB pure cultures may be a valuable source for further starter selection.     

酱醪细菌菌株的分离及功能分析

【目的】分离获得来源于酱醪的细菌,考察菌株与酱油品质相关的特性,初步评价其应用于酱油发酵的潜力。【方法】从日式酱油发酵的酱醪体系中分离和筛选优势或特征细菌菌株,比较它们的耐盐性及其在高盐条件下产蛋白酶、有机酸、挥发性物质和氨基酸等的能力。【结果】从日式酱油酱醪中共分离得到9株细菌,分别属于魏斯氏菌(Weissella)、乳酸足球菌(Pediococcus)、乳酸杆菌(Lactobacillus)、芽孢杆菌(Bacillus)、四联球菌(Tetragenococcus)和葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus)属。其中耐盐的细菌有类肠膜魏斯氏菌(Weissella paramesenteroides)CQ03、嗜酸乳酸足球菌(Pediococcus acidilactici)JY07、戊糖乳酸足球菌(Pediococcus pentosaceus)JY08、葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus sp.)JY09和嗜盐四联球菌(Tetragenococcus halophilus)MRS1。在高盐条件下,对它们的特性分析表明:解淀粉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens)B2产蛋白酶和糖化酶的能力较强,W.paramesenteroides CQ03可水解原料产生较多鲜味氨基酸,T.halophilus MRS1产有机酸能力较强,它和S.sp.JY09代谢产生的挥发性物质较多。【结论】筛选得到9株在促进原料水解和提高风味物质合成方面有潜力的菌株,如果应用到酱油工业生产中,将有利于缩短发酵周期,提高酱油品质。     

NMR spectroscopic analysis of exopolysaccharides produced by Leuconostoc citreum and Weissella confusa

Dextrans are the main exopolysaccharides produced by Leuconostoc species. Other dextran-producing lactic acid bacteria include Streptococci, Lactobacilli, and Weissella species. Commercial production and structural analysis has focused mainly on dextrans from Leuconostoc species, particularly on Leuconostoc mesenteroides strains. In this study, we used NMR spectroscopy techniques to analyze the structures of dextrans produced by Leuconostoc citreum E497 and Weissella confusa E392. The dextrans were compared to that of L. mesenteroides B512F produced under the same conditions. Generally, W. confusa E392 showed better growth and produced more EPS than did L. citreum E497 and L. mesenteroides B512F. Both L. citreum E497 and W. confusa E392 produced a class 1 dextran. Dextran from L. citreum E497 contained about 11% alpha-(1-->2) and about 3.5% alpha-(1-->3)-linked branches whereas dextran from W. confusa E392 was linear with only a few (2.7%) alpha-(1-->3)-linked branches. Dextran from W. confusa E392 was found to be more linear than that of L. mesenteroides B512F, which, according to the present study, contained about 4.1% alpha-(1-->3)-linked branches. Functionality, whether physiological or technological, depends on the structure of the polysaccharide. Dextran from L. citreum E497 may be useful as a source of prebiotic gluco-oligosaccharides with alpha-(1-->2)-linked branches, whereas W. confusa E392 could be a suitable alternative to widely used L. mesenteroides B512F in the production of linear dextran.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Leuconostoc based on reverse transcriptase sequencing of 16 S rRNA

The phylogenetic interrelationships of members of the genus Leuconostoc and some heterofermentative lactobacilli, which phenotypically resemble leuconostocs, were investigated by comparative analysis of their 16 S rRNA sequences. The six species, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leu. carnosum, Leu. citreum, Leu. gelidum, Leu. lactis and Leu. pseudomesenteroides exhibited a high degree of sequence similarity with each other and formed a phylogenetically coherent group, quite separate from all other lactic acid bacteria investigated. The species Leu. paramesenteroides was found to be phylogenetically distinct from the Leu. mesenteroides group of species and formed a natural grouping with the heterofermentative lactobacilli, Lb. confusus, Lb. kandleri, Lb. minor and Lb. viridescens. The rRNA sequence of the acidophilic species, Leu. oenos, displayed exceptionally low levels of homology with all of the other taxa examined. The 16 S sequence of Leu. oenos showed major nucleotide differences in relatively highly conserved positions of the molecule indicating this species is phylogenetically distinct and warrants a separate genus.     

Polyphasic study of the spatial distribution of microorganisms in Mexican pozol, a fermented maize dough, demonstrates the need for cultivation-independent methods to investigate traditional fermentations

The distribution of microorganisms in pozol balls, a fermented maize dough, was investigated by a polyphasic approach in which we used both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, including microbial enumeration, fermentation product analysis, quantification of microbial taxa with 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes, determination of microbial fingerprints by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and 16S ribosomal DNA gene sequencing. Our results demonstrate that DGGE fingerprinting and rRNA quantification should allow workers to precisely and rapidly characterize the microbial assemblage in a spontaneous lactic acid fermented food. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) accounted for 90 to 97% of the total active microflora; no streptococci were isolated, although members of the genus Streptococcus accounted for 25 to 50% of the microflora. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum, together with members of the genera Leuconostoc and Weissella, were the other dominant organisms. The overall activity was more important at the periphery of a ball, where eucaryotes, enterobacteria, and bacterial exopolysacharide producers developed. Our results also showed that the metabolism of heterofermentative LAB was influenced in situ by the distribution of the LAB in the pozol ball, whereas homolactic fermentation was controlled primarily by sugar limitation. We propose that starch is first degraded by amylases from LAB and that the resulting sugars, together with the lactate produced, allow a secondary flora to develop in the presence of oxygen. Our results strongly suggest that cultivation-independent methods should be used to study traditional fermented foods.     

Development and use of a selective medium for isolation of Leuconostoc spp. from vegetables and dairy products.

A selective medium (LUSM medium) for the isolation of Leuconostoc spp. was developed. This medium contained 1.0% glucose, 1.0% Bacto Peptone (Difco), 0.5% yeast extract (BBL), 0.5% meat extract (Difco), 0.25% gelatin (Difco), 0.5% calcium lactate, 0.05% sorbic acid, 75 ppm of sodium azide (Sigma), 0.25% sodium acetate, 0.1% (vol/vol) Tween 80, 15% tomato juice, 30 micrograms of vancomycin (Sigma) per ml, 0.20 microgram of tetracycline (Serva) per ml, 0.5 mg of cysteine hydrochloride per ml, and 1.5% agar (Difco). LUSM medium was used successfully for isolation and enumeration of Leuconostoc spp. in dairy products and vegetables. Of 116 colony isolates obtained from fresh raw milk, curdled milk, or various vegetables, 115 were identified as members of the genus Leuconostoc. A total of 89 of these isolates were identified to species; 13.5% of the isolates were Leuconostoc cremoris, 7.9% were Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, 11.2% were Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum, 16.9% were Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. paramesenteroides, 10.1% were leuconostoc lactis, and 40.4% were Leuconostoc oenos. When we compared the counts obtained for two Leuconostoc strains, Leuconostoc dextranicum 181 and L. cremoris JLL8, on MRS agar and LUSM medium, we found no significant difference between the values obtained on the two media.     

Plasmid transformation by electroporation of Leuconostoc paramesenteroides and its use in molecular cloning

In this report, we demonstrate the utility of electroporation as an efficient method for genetic transformation of Leuconostoc paramesenteroides. We optimized several factors which determine the transformation frequency, resulting in transformation efficiencies of up to 4 x 10(3) transformants per micrograms of pNZ12 DNA, which contains the promiscuous Lactococcus lactis pSH71 replicon. Slightly lower efficiencies were obtained with a deletion derivative of the broad-host-range plasmid pAM beta 1. These plasmids could be stably maintained in L. paramesenteroides NZ6009 for more than 100 generations, even in the absence of selective pressure. In order to show the use of the developed host-vector system, we cloned the Lactococcus lactis gene encoding phospho-beta-galactosidase in L. paramesenteroides. Expression of this heterologous gene in L. paramesenteroides under control of Lactococcus lactis expression signals was evident from the presence, in transformants, of phospho-beta-galactosidase activity and a specific phospho-beta-galactosidase protein band on Western blots (immunoblots). In addition, we transformed a lactose-deficient derivative of L. paramesenteroides with a plasmid carrying a Lactococcus lactis-Escherichia coli lacZ gene fusion. The resulting transformants synthesized high levels of beta-galactosidase, indicating the efficiency of heterologous gene expression signals in L. paramesenteroides.     

Plasmid transformation by electroporation of Leuconostoc paramesenteroides and its use in molecular cloning.

In this report, we demonstrate the utility of electroporation as an efficient method for genetic transformation of Leuconostoc paramesenteroides. We optimized several factors which determine the transformation frequency, resulting in transformation efficiencies of up to 4 x 10(3) transformants per micrograms of pNZ12 DNA, which contains the promiscuous Lactococcus lactis pSH71 replicon. Slightly lower efficiencies were obtained with a deletion derivative of the broad-host-range plasmid pAM beta 1. These plasmids could be stably maintained in L. paramesenteroides NZ6009 for more than 100 generations, even in the absence of selective pressure. In order to show the use of the developed host-vector system, we cloned the Lactococcus lactis gene encoding phospho-beta-galactosidase in L. paramesenteroides. Expression of this heterologous gene in L. paramesenteroides under control of Lactococcus lactis expression signals was evident from the presence, in transformants, of phospho-beta-galactosidase activity and a specific phospho-beta-galactosidase protein band on Western blots (immunoblots). In addition, we transformed a lactose-deficient derivative of L. paramesenteroides with a plasmid carrying a Lactococcus lactis-Escherichia coli lacZ gene fusion. The resulting transformants synthesized high levels of beta-galactosidase, indicating the efficiency of heterologous gene expression signals in L. paramesenteroides.     

Cytotoxic, antioxidative, and ACE inhibiting activities of dolsan leaf mustard juice (DLMJ) treated with lactic acid bacteria

This study was performed to know whether there is any change of physiological activity in DLMJ which is inoculated by lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from Dolsan leaf mustard Kimchi (DLMK) at 20°C. In the optimum ripening period, the population ofLeuconostoc andLactobacilli in the DLMK were found to be high. TheLeuconostoc, Lactobacilli andLactococci strains were identified asLeuconostoc mesenteroides., Leuconostoc gelidum, Weissella confusa, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus raffinolactis, Lactococcus lactis andWeissella confusa using the Biolog system. The most predominant strain which was isolated from DLMK wasWeissella confusa. As the results of the phylogenetic analysis using 16s rDNA sequence, theWeissella confusa turned out to beWeissella kimchii, with 99.0% similarity. To investigated the change of physiological activity in DLMJ by lactic acid bacteria, 7 predominant strains inoculated to DLMJ (Dolsan Leaf Mustard Juice). The cytotoxicity was found to be under 19.55% all cases Also, the antioxidative activity of the DLMJ treated with lactic acid bacteria was very low, which might have been due to the reduced antioxidative phytochemicals during the preparation of the sterile, sample. The ACE inhibiting activity of DLMJ by inoculation withWeissella kimchii was shown to be the highest (94.0%). This could be that the degradation of sulfur containing materials in DLMJ byWeissella kimchii gave rise to ACE inhibiting activity.     

Bacteriophage ecology in commercial sauerkraut fermentations

Knowledge of bacteriophage ecology in vegetable fermentations is essential for developing phage control strategies for consistent and high quality of fermented vegetable products. The ecology of phages infecting lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in commercial sauerkraut fermentations was investigated. Brine samples were taken from four commercial sauerkraut fermentation tanks over a 60- or 100-day period in 2000 and 2001. A total of 171 phage isolates, including at least 26 distinct phages, were obtained. In addition, 28 distinct host strains were isolated and identified as LAB by restriction analysis of the intergenic transcribed spacer region and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. These host strains included Leuconostoc, Weissella, and Lactobacillus species. It was found that there were two phage-host systems in the fermentations corresponding to the population shift from heterofermentative to homofermentative LAB between 3 and 7 days after the start of the fermentations. The data suggested that phages may play an important role in the microbial ecology and succession of LAB species in vegetable fermentations. Eight phage isolates, which were independently obtained two or more times, were further characterized. They belonged to the family Myoviridae or Siphoviridae and showed distinct host ranges and DNA fingerprints. Two of the phage isolates were found to be capable of infecting two Lactobacillus species. The results from this study demonstrated for the first time the complex phage ecology present in commercial sauerkraut fermentations, providing new insights into the bioprocess of vegetable fermentations.