A rapid PCR procedure for the specific identification of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, based on the 16S-23S intergenic spacer regions

AIMS: The organization of ribosomal RNA (rrn) operons in Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis was studied in order to establish an easy-to-perform method for identification of L. sanfranciscensis strains, based on the length and sequence polymorphism of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR). METHODS AND RESULTS: PCR amplification of the 16S-23S rDNA ISRs of L. sanfranciscensis gave three products distinguishing this micro-organism from the remaining Lactobacillus species. Sequence analysis revealed that two of the rrn operons were organized as in previously reported lactobacilli: large spacer (L-ISR), containing tRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Ala) genes; small spacer (S-ISR) without tRNA genes. The third described spacer (medium, M-ISR), original for L. sanfranciscensis, harboured a tRNA-like structure. An oligonucleotide sequence targeting the variable region between tDNA(Ile) and tDNA(Ala) of L. sanfranciscensis L-ISR was approved to be suitable in species-specific identification procedure. Analysis by pulse-field gel electrophoresis of the chromosomal digest with the enzyme I-CeuI showed the presence of seven rrn clusters. Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis genome size was estimated at c. 1.3 Mb. CONCLUSIONS: Direct amplification of 16S-23S ISRs or PCR with specific primer derived from L-ISR showed to be useful for specific typing of L. sanfranciscensis. This was due to the specific rrn operon organization of L. sanfranciscensis strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this paper, we have reported a rapid procedure for L. sanfranciscensis identification based on specific structures found in its rrn operon.     

16S rRNA PCR鉴定嗜酸乳杆菌鸡源分离株

用自行设计的嗜酸乳杆菌16S rRNA的特异性引物和建立的PCR方法对初步鉴定为嗜酸乳杆菌的鸡源分离株进行检测。PCR检测结果表明分离株和嗜酸乳杆菌参考株扩增出大小一致的目的片段,从分子水平对鸡源分离菌进行了鉴定。     

The effect of Lactobacillus buchneri and L. plantarum, applied at ensiling, on the ensiling fermentation and aerobic stability of wheat and sorghum silages

The effect of applying Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), alone or in combinations with L. plantarum (LP) and yeasts at ensiling, on the ensiling fermentation and aerobic stability of wheat and sorghum silages was studied under laboratory conditions. Treatments comprised LB, LP, yeasts, LB + yeasts, LP + yeasts, LB + LP and B-589 (a lactic acid bacterial strain isolated from wheat silage in Israel) alone. The treatments were also applied to sterilized aqueous extracts of wheat which were incubated at 30°C for 10 days. The pH of all treatments was below 4.0 already on day 4 of the experiment. Silages treated with LB had higher acetic acid concentrations than those treated with LP: 32–34 vs 16–18, and 28–34 vs 4–7 g kg⁻¹ in the experiments with wheat and sorghum, respectively. Similar results were obtained in wheat extracts. In the aqueous phase, marked differences in pH decrease were noticed among the treatments: 4.4 in LB, 6.0 in the yeast, and 3.7 in LP and B-589 (from day 3 and onwards). In both crops LB resulted in aerobically stable silages when applied alone or with LP and yeasts, whereas LP resulted in unstable silages upon aerobic exposure; the stability of the LB-treated silages is attributed to the higher acetic acid concentrations. The isolated strain (B-589) did not exhibit any advantage with regard to aerobic stability. Received 26 April 1999/ Accepted in revised form 05 July 1999     

Effects of feeding a Lactobacillus plantarum JL01 diet on caecal bacteria and metabolites of weaned piglets

Currently, knowledge is limited concerning the impact of a Lactobacillus plantarum JL01 diet for weaned piglets on caecal bacteria and metabolite profiles. In our experiments, 24 weaned piglets were randomly divided into two groups; each piglet in the treatment groups (Cec-Lac) was fed a basic diet and administered 10 ml of L. plantarum JL01 (1·0 × 10⁹ CFU per ml) every day. The control group (Cec-Con) was fed a basic diet. After feeding for 28 days, we analysed the parameters of the caecal digesta of weaned piglets. We used 16S rDNA gene sequencing and mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics techniques to investigate the effect of a L. plantarum JL01 diet on intestinal microbial composition and its metabolite profiles in the caecum contents of weaned piglets. The results showed that the richness estimators (ACE and Chao indices) in the caecal bacteria increased in the Cec-Lac group. Prevotella_2 and Desulfovibrio decreased significantly, while Pantoea and Rectale_group increased in the caecum of weaned piglets in the Cec-Lac group. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the genus Rectale_group was positively correlated with indole-3-acetic acid (P < 0·05), and the genus Pantoea had the same correlation with 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidic acid. The metabolomics analysis revealed that the L. plantarum JL01 diet supplementation had significant effects on tryptophan metabolism and fat digestion and absorption. The results indicated that the L. plantarum JL01 dietary supplementation not only altered the microbial composition but also mediated tryptophan metabolism and fat digestion and absorption in the caecum, factors that may further affect the health of the host.     

Development of an extensive set of 16S rDNA-targeted primers for quantification of pathogenic and indigenous bacteria in faecal samples by real-time PCR

AIMS: The microbiota of the human intestinal tract constitutes a complex ecosystem. We report the design and optimization of an extensive set of 16S rDNA-targeted species- and group-specific primers for more accurate quantification of bacteria from faecal samples with real-time PCR. METHODS AND RESULTS: A linear range of quantification between 0.1-10 pg and 10 ng of specific target genome was obtained, which corresponds to detection of ca 30-4500 to 1.9 x 10(6)-6.0 x 10(6) target bacterial genomes. Functionality of the assays was confirmed by quantification of target bacterial DNA from faecal DNA preparations of healthy volunteers and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Additionally, spiking of faecal preparations with Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile or Campylobacter jejuni was used to confirm the accurate and sensitive quantification. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time PCR is a very sensitive and precise technique for an extensive quantitative evaluation of gut microbiota and is feasible for detection of human pathogens from faecal samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To design and optimize an extensive set of real-time PCR assays targeting a large group of predominant and pathogenic GI microbial species for further use in updating the current knowledge of the putative role of gut microbiota in health and disease.     

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.     

Clostridia spore formation during aerobic deterioration of maize and sorghum silages as influenced by Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus plantarum inoculants

Aims:  The effect of the inoculation of maize and sorghum silages with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and Lactobacillus buchneri (LB) on the clostridia spore formation during aerobic deterioration has been studied.
Methods and results:  The crops were ensiled in 30 l jars, without a lactic acid bacteria inoculant (C), and with an LP or LB inocula (theoretical rate of 1 × 10⁶). After 90 days of conservation, the silages were analysed for the chemical and microbiological characteristics and subjected to an aerobic stability test, during which pH, temperature, nitrate, yeast, mould and clostridia spores were measured. Compared to the C and LP silages, yeasts were reduced in the LB silages, resulting in an increased aerobic stability. Clostridia spores, determined by most probable number (MPN) procedure, increased to 6 log₁₀ MPN g⁻¹ in the C and LP maize silages, whereas they reached 3 log₁₀ MPN g⁻¹ in C and LP sorghum silages.
Conclusions:  Clostridia spore count only slightly increased in the LB maize silages after 342 h (2·59 log₁₀ MPN g⁻¹), whereas it did not show any increase in the LB sorghum silages for the whole period of air exposure.
Significance and impact of the study:  The data indicated that clostridia spore outgrowth can take place during silo feedout in aerobic-deteriorated silages and that LB inoculation reduces the risk of clostridia outgrowth after silage opening by increasing the aerobic stability.     

The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum BW2013 on The Gut Microbiota in Mice Analyzed by 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing

Lactobacillus plantarum BW2013 was isolated from the fermented Chinese cabbage. This study aimed to test the effect of this strain on the gut microbiota in BALB/c mice by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The mice were randomly allocated to the control group and three treatment groups of L. plantarum BW2013 (a low-dose group of 10⁸ CFU/ml, a medium-dose group of 10⁹ CFU/ml, and a high-dose group of 10¹⁰ CFU/ml). The weight of mice was recorded once a week, and the fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing after 28 days of continuous treatment. Compared with the control group, the body weight gain in the treatment groups was not significant. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis showed that both the Chao1 and ACE indexes increased slightly in the medium-dose group compared to the control group, but the difference was not significant. Based on PCoA results, there was no significant difference in β diversity between the treatment groups. Compared to the control group, the abundance of Bacteroidetes increased in the low-dose group. The abundance of Firmicutes increased in the medium-dose group. At the genus level, the abundance of Alloprevotella increased in the low-dose group compared to the control group. The increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae and decreased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas was observed in the medium-dose group. Additionally, the abundance of Bacteroides increased, and Alistipes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas decreased in the high-dose group. These results indicated that L. plantarum BW2013 could ameliorate gut microbiota composition, but its effects vary with the dose.     

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.     

设计乳杆菌特异性引物并运用菌落PCR技术快速检出和鉴定四川泡菜中的乳杆菌

乳杆菌(Lactobacillus)是益生菌, 也是当前的研究热点之一。研究泡菜等样品中的乳杆菌需要快速的检出方法。根据已完成全基因组测序的14种乳杆菌的16S rDNA序列, 设计一对乳杆菌特异性引物。PCR检测结果表明该引物对乳杆菌和明串珠菌能扩增出800 bp的片段, 对表皮葡萄球菌、乳酸乳球菌和枯草芽胞杆菌却没有扩增条带, 具有一定的乳杆菌特异性。结合MRS乳杆菌半选择培养基和革兰氏染色, 运用菌落PCR技术, 可以快速高效地检出四川泡菜中的乳杆菌。再通过对PCR扩增片段测序, 可以将乳杆菌鉴定到种。从16份四川泡菜样品中检出了15株乳杆菌, 其中14株被鉴定为植物乳杆菌, 1株需进一步鉴定才能确定种。该方法可以检出乳杆菌新种。     

利用16SrDNA建立种特异性PCR快速检测鸭疫里默氏菌

鸭疫里默氏菌感染是危害养鸭业的主要疾病,用表型指标鉴定鸭疫里默氏菌存在不足,因此有必要建立检测该菌的种特异性PCR法。利用已登录的鸭疫里默氏菌、大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌、多杀性巴氏杆菌的16S rDNA基因序列,设计了一对鸭疫里默氏菌16S rDNA基因的特异性引物190f和843r,分别以基因组DNA和菌落提取液为模板,从1-19型鸭疫里默氏菌参考菌株和代表亚型、变异株和可能新型的国内分离株共26株细菌中均扩增出大小为654bp的特异性片段,而扩增鸭大肠杆菌、鸭沙门氏菌和禽多杀性巴氏杆菌等感染鸭的常见细菌的结果均呈阴性。分别将鸭疫里默氏菌基因组DNA和菌落提取液进行10倍梯度稀释,基因组DNA的最小检出量为50pg,菌落最小检出量为15CFU／mL。结果说明,该PCR法具有较好的特异性和敏感性,可用于快速鉴定鸭疫里默氏菌。     

利用16S rDNA建立种特异性PCR快速检测鸭疫里默氏菌

鸭疫里默氏菌感染是危害养鸭业的主要疾病,用表型指标鉴定鸭疫里默氏菌存在不足,因此有必要建立检测该菌的种特异性PCR法。利用已登录的鸭疫里默氏菌、大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌、多杀性巴氏杆菌的16S rDNA基因序列,设计了一对鸭疫里默氏菌16S rDNA基因的特异性引物190f和843r,分别以基因组DNA和菌落提取液为模板,从1~19型鸭疫里默氏菌参考菌株和代表亚型、变异株和可能新型的国内分离株共26株细菌中均扩增出大小为654bp的特异性片段,而扩增鸭大肠杆菌、鸭沙门氏菌和禽多杀性巴氏杆菌等感染鸭的常见细菌的结果均呈阴性。分别将鸭疫里默氏菌基因组DNA和菌落提取液进行10倍梯度稀释,基因组DNA的最小检出量为50pg,菌落最小检出量为15CFU/mL。结果说明,该PCR法具有较好的特异性和敏感性,可用于快速鉴定鸭疫里默氏菌。     

Growth and lactic acid production in batch culture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in a defined medium

To facilitate metabolic analysis, batch fermentations of Lactobacillus rhamnosus were carried out in a new defined medium. Biomass at 10.5 g/l and lactic acid at 67 g/l with a YP/S of 0.84 were achieved. The maximum specific growth rate and the average productivity were 0.49/h and 2.48 g/l.h, respectively. These are comparable to those of this organism and related organisms in complex media. Preliminary amino acid studies were also conducted, highlighting the importance of serine, asparagine, glutamine and cysteine. Kinetic analysis revealed that lactic acid production was predominantly growth-associated with growth associated and non-growth associated lactic acid constants of 0.389 mol/g-cell and 0.0025 mol/g-cell.h, respectively. Finally a kinetic model has been included to describe the fermentation of L. rhamnosus.     

Development of a minimal growth medium for Lactobacillus plantarum

Aim:  A medium with minimal requirements for the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS was developed. The composition of the minimal medium was compared to a genome-scale metabolic model of L. plantarum .
Methods and Results:  By repetitive single omission experiments, two minimal media were developed: PMM5 (true minimal medium) and PMM7 [a pseudominimal medium, supporting proper biomass formation of 350 mg l⁻¹ dry weight (DW)]. The specific growth rate of L. plantarum on PMM7 was found to be 50% and 63% lower when compared to growth on established growth media (chemically defined medium and MRS, respectively). Using a genome-scale metabolic model of L. plantarum , it was predicted that PMM5 and PMM7 would not support the growth of L. plantarum . This is because the biosynthesis of para- aminobenzoic acid ( p ABA) was predicted to be essential for growth. The discrepancy in simulated growth and experimental growth on PMM7 was further investigated for p ABA; a molecule which plays an important role in folate production. The growth performance and folate production were determined on PMM7 in the presence and absence of p ABA. It was found that a 12 000-fold reduction in folate pools exerted no influence on formation of biomass or growth rate of L. plantarum cultures when grown in the absence of p ABA.
Conclusion:  Largely reduced folate production pools do not have an effect on the growth of L. plantarum , showing that L. plantarum makes folate in a large excess.
Significance and Impact of the study:  These experiments illustrate the importance of combining genome-scale metabolic models with growth experiments on minimal media.     

Development of a novel triplex PCR assay for the detection and differentiation of thermophilic species of Campylobacter using 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region

AIM: Campylobacter species are significantly implicated in human gastrointestinal infections. Of 20 species of Campylobacter, C. jejuni, C. coli and C. lari have been considered as the most important causative agents of human infections. In order to better understand the occurrence and epidemiology of these thermophilic Campylobacter species, an improved and rapid detection method is warranted. A novel triplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed based on the variable 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region to identify and discriminate between these species in water samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: Campylobacter species-specific primers for C. jejuni, C. coli and C. lari derived from highly variable sequences in the ITS region were used. Specificity of the newly designed primers and PCR conditions were verified using other species of Campylobacter as well as 31 different negative control species. The assay was further validated with 97 Campylobacter cultures from water samples. CONCLUSIONS: The assay was found to be simple, easy to perform, and had a high sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility. It enabled simultaneous detection and differentiation of multiple Campylobacter species in water samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: Use of the newly developed PCR assay, coupled with a previously developed rapid DNA template preparation step, will enable improved detection capabilities for Campylobacter species in environmental matrices.     

PCR amplification of species specific sequences of 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region for identification of Streptococcus phocae

Streptococcus phocae, a bacterial pathogen of seals, could reliably be identified by PCR amplification using oligonucleotide primers designed according to species specific segments of the previously sequenced 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region of this species. The PCR mediated assay allowed an identification of S. phocae isolated from harbor and gray seals and from Atlantic salmons. No cross-reaction could be observed with 13 different other streptococcal species and subspecies and with Lactococcus garvieae strains investigated for control purposes.     

Phyto‐specific 16S rDNA PCR primers for recovering algal and plant sequences from mixed samples

Molecular environmental sampling of the phototrophic complexity in a given environment may be important in a number of research disciplines. Because of the broad evolutionary diversity of photosynthetic organisms, however, primers that can recover sequences from all phototrophs also target other organisms, often preferentially. Therefore, PCR primers that selectively amplify genes of phototrophs over those of other prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms could prove extremely useful. Here we report two such primers that target 16S rDNA from Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic plastids, but do not amplify genes from abundant Bacteria in a mixed sample.     

乳扇制品中乳酸杆菌的分离鉴定及16S rRNA序列同源性分析

目的乳扇是云南大理白族的一种传统乳制品,明确大理乳扇制品中乳杆菌的多样性及优势种群分布,为科学利用奠定基础。方法采用表型鉴定及16S r RNA鉴定方法,对10个家庭作坊的大理乳扇制品中的乳杆菌进行了分离鉴定。结果共分离到50株乳杆菌,通过表型鉴定为8个种,包括植物乳杆菌10株、德氏乳杆菌7株、发酵乳杆菌6株、干酪乳杆菌6株、棒状乳杆菌4株、鼠乳杆菌2株、弯曲乳杆菌3株和食果糖乳杆菌2株;06422和06430两株表型鉴定未能定种,进一步通过16S r RNA鉴定为植物乳杆菌和马酒乳杆菌,06422株与植物乳杆菌L.arizonensin、L.pentosus和L.plantarum P158的同源性分别是100%、100%和99.9%,与乳杆菌属其它种的同源性为83.4%(L.gallinarum)至93.5%(L.brevis),06430株与L.kefiranofaciens.subsp.Kefirgranum的16S r RNA同源性是99.9%,与乳杆菌属其它种的同源性为83.7%(L.plantarum P158)至96.3%(L.acidophilus)。结论大理乳扇制品中有9种乳杆菌,其优势种群为植物乳杆菌、德氏乳杆菌、发酵乳杆菌和干酪乳杆菌等四种。