Screening of lactic acid bacteria from fermented vegetables by carbohydrate profiling and PCR-ELISA.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify potential souring agents, isolated from fermented plant material, by API 50 CHL assay and a molecular method based on polymerase chain reaction and colorimetric hybridization (PCR-ELISA).


RESULTS
Forty-two strains of lactic acid bacteria derived from plant material were screened by taking advantage of API 50 CHL and PCR-ELISA. Oligonucleotide probes used for hybridization in PCR-ELISA were specific for lactobacilli, the Leuconostoc family, Lactobacillus pentosus/plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis. The hybrides were detected by a colour-developing reaction. Bacteria isolated from fermented cucumbers were identified as Lact. plantarum-related (Lact. plantarum and Lact. pentosus) and Leuconostoc species. Most of the strains isolated from sauerkraut were identified as Lact. pentosus/plantarum.


CONCLUSIONS
Complementary results were obtained in the identification of bacterial strains, isolated from fermented cucumbers and sauerkraut, by API 50 CHL and PCR-ELISA.


CONCLUSIONS
PCR-ELISA proved to be suitable for the screening of large numbers of bacterial isolates from fermented vegetables. This will be useful for the identification of strains suitable for the design of starter cultures for the fermentation of plant material.
Food Research, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland.
M
M
Tamminen
T
T
Joutsjoki
M
M
Sjöblom
M
M
Joutsen
A
A
Palva
E-L
EL
Ryhänen
V
V
Joutsjoki
D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005285:Fermentation; D005516:Food Microbiology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D048191:Lactiplantibacillus plantarum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007934:Leuconostoc / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014675:Vegetables / Q000382:microbiology*
D002241:Carbohydrates; D004269:DNA, Bacterial