title: Characterization of Leuconostoc species isolated from vacuum-packaged ham.
abstract: Thirty-six isolates of Leuconostoc spp. were isolated from yellow spots that occurred on the surface of vacuum-packaged ham. All isolates were Gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci that produced gas from glucose and formed more than 90% of their lactate as D(-) isomer. These isolates could grow at 4 degrees C but not above 30 degrees C and most strains produced yellow spots on the ham. The isolates were divided into three groups by sugar fermentation patterns. Representative strains from three groups showed intergroup DNA homology values of above 88.8%, showing that these groups were composed of a single species. This organism was positioned at a separate branch in the genus Leuconostoc on the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA sequences, which was assigned to Leuconostoc gelidum on the basis of DNA-DNA relatedness.
authors.affiliation: Japan Collection of Microorganisms, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Wako 351-0198, Japan.
authors.forename: Yimin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Benno
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Tsutomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Tamiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Itaya
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakase