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Soy sauce is a traditional seasoning produced through the fermentation of soybeans and wheat using microbes. In this study, the microbial communities involved in the soy sauce manufacturing process were analyzed by PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). The bacterial DGGE profile indicated that the bacterial microbes in the koji were Weissella cibaria (Weissella confusa, Weissella kimchii, Weissella salipiscis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus iners, or Streptococcus thermophilus), Staphylococcus gallinarum (or Staphylococcus xylosus), and Staphylococcus kloosii. In addition to these bacteria, Tetragenococcus halophilus was also detected in the mash during lactic acid fermentation. The fungal DGGE profile indicated that the fungal microbes in the koji were not only Aspergillus oryzae but also several yeasts. In the mash, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii appeared in the early fermentation stage, Candida etchellsii (or Candida nodaensis) and Candida versatilis were detected at the middle fermentation stage, and Candida etchellsii was detected at the mature fermentation stage. These results suggest that the microbial communities present during the soy sauce manufacturing process change drastically throughout its production. This is the first report to reveal the microbial communities involved in the soy sauce manufacturing process using a culture-independent method.

Dajiang, a traditional soybean paste fermentation food, is mainly produced in Northeast of China. From 11 natural fermented Dajiang samples that collected from different families in three region of Liaoning, twenty-eight strains of lactic acid bacteria were identified according to morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis. The counts of lactic acid bacteria were 9.3 × 105∼2.7 × 107 CFU/mL, while mold and yeast were 5.5 × 105∼3.0 × 107 CFU/mL and 2.3 × 105 ∼5.1 × 106 CFU/mL, respectively. Isolates were identified as follows: 6 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, 2 strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii, 2 strains of Lactobacillus brevis, 3 strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, 2 strains of Enterococcus faecium, and 13 strains of Tetragenococcus halophilus.

Despite the use of generally accepted good storage practices, sugar thick juice degradation caused by microbiological contamination occasionally occurs, causing considerable financial loss. In this study, a DNA array was developed for simultaneous detection and identification of the most prominent microflora present during thick juice storage, which may cause degradation of the thick juice. Specific oligonucleotides were developed for several bacterial taxa, including the genera Bacillus, Kocuria, Staphylococcus and Tetragenococcus and the species Aerococcus viridans, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Tetragenococcus halophilus. The DNA array was validated using both pure cultures and industrial samples. In addition, comparisons were made between the developed array, PCR assays specifically targeting the thick juice contaminants and classical microbial platings. The array was found to be reliable and sensitive enough to detect and identify the target bacteria. In addition, the array was used to monitor the target microbial populations in thick juice during longterm storage and degradation. Results are discussed in relation to DNA stability in thick juice. ispartof: Food Analytical Methods vol:4 issue:2 pages:173-185 status: published

Most bacteria recovered so far from sugar thick juice during storage represent strains of the species Tetragenococcus halophilus. Recently, several Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming cocci with other physiological and genetic traits were isolated from sugar thick juice samples from different origins. In this study, representative isolates were investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between these isolates and their closest relative, Tetragenococcus muriaticus, was 97.4 %. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between isolate T1T, representing the newly found Tetragenococcus isolates, and T. muriaticus was 57 %. Isolate T1T had a DNA G+C content of 36.7 mol%. Phylogenetic data and genomic and phenotypic features demonstrated that the isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Tetragenococcus osmophilus sp. nov. is proposed with T1T as the type strain ( = LMG 26041T = DSM 23765T). Additionally, T. halophilus isolates from high-salt and high-sugar environments showed clear differences in several physiological and genetic characteristics like RAPD fingerprints and 16S rRNA gene sequences. DNA–DNA hybridizations, however, showed 79 to 80 % relatedness between osmophilic and halophilic T. halophilus isolates, demonstrating that the different strains belong to the same species. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic differences observed, as well as the different origins of the strains and the industrial relevance of thick juice degradation, two subspecies of T. halophilus are described in this manuscript: T. halophilus subsp. halophilus subsp. nov. for the strains isolated from salt media and T. halophilus subsp. flandriensis subsp. nov. for the strains isolated from sugar-rich environments, which were first isolated in Flanders, Belgium. The type strains for the subspecies are IAM 1676T ( = LMG 11490T = DSM 20339T) and T5T ( = LMG 26042T = DSM 23766T), respectively.

Isolated strains of halotolerant or halophilic lactic acid bacteria (HALAB) from Cotija and doble crema cheeses were identified and partially characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods, and their technological abilities were studied in order to test their potential use as dairy starter components. Humidity, a(w), pH, and salt concentration of cheeses were determined. Genotypic diversity was evaluated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction. Molecular identification and phylogenetic reconstructions based on 16S rRNA gene sequences were performed. Additional technological abilities such as salt tolerance, acidifying, and proteolytic and lipolytic activities were also investigated. The differences among strains reflected the biodiversity of HALAB in both types of cheeses. Lactobacillus acidipiscis, Tetragenococcus halophilus, Weissella thailandensis, and Lactobacillus pentosus from Cotija cheese, and L. acidipiscis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus farciminis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus from doble crema cheese were identified based on 16S rRNA. Quantitative and qualitative assessments showed strains of T. halophilus and L. plantarum to be proteolytic, along with E. faecium, L. farciminis, and L. pentosus to a lesser extent. Lipolytic activity could be demonstrated in strains of E. faecium, L. pentosus, L. plantarum, and T. halophilus. Strains belonging to the species L. pentosus, L. plantarum, and E. faecium were able to acidify the milk media. This study evidences the presence of HALAB that may play a role in the ripening of cheeses.

BACKGROUND: The bacterial flora of two Japanese traditional fermented fish products, aji-narezushi (salted and long-fermented horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicas) with rice) and iwashi-nukazuke (salted and long-fermented sardine (Sardinops melanostica) with rice bran), was analysed using non-culture-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and culture-based PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) methods. RESULTS:Viable plate counts in aji-narezushi and iwashi-nukazuke were about 6.3–6.6 and 5.7–6.9 log colony-forming units g−1 respectively. In the PCR-DGGE analysis, Lactobacillus acidipiscis was detected as the predominant bacterium in two of three aji-narezushi samples, while Lactobacillus versmoldensis was predominant in the third sample. By the PCR-SSCP method, Lb. acidipiscis and Lactobacillus plantarum were isolated as the predominant bacteria, while Lb. versmoldensis was not detected. The predominant bacterium in two of three iwashi-nukazuke samples was Tetragenococcus muriaticus, while Tetragenococcus halophilus was predominant in the third sample. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the detection of some predominant lactic acid bacteria species in fermented fish by cultivation methods is difficult. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

Chum salmon sauce mash was inoculated with barley koji (barley steamed and molded with Aspergillus oryzae ) and halotolerant microorganisms (HTMs), Zygosaccharomyces rouxii , Candida versatilis , and Tetragenococcus halophilus , in nine different combinations under non-aseptic conditions similar to the industrial fish sauce production and fermented at 35 +/- 2.5 degrees C for 84 days. The changes in the chemical components, color, and sensory properties during fermentation were investigated. Free amino acid content was increased, and the browning of fish sauce was enhanced by the usage of barley koji during fermentation. The halotolerant yeast (HTY) produced ethanol and repressed the browning by consumption of reducing sugar. Inoculated Z. rouxii in the fish sauce mash produced 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) and 4-hydoxy-2(or 5)-ethyl-5(or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HEMF), and C. versatilis in the fish sauce mash produced 4-ethylguaiacol (4-EG), known as characteristic flavor compounds in soy sauce, adding soy-sauce-like flavor to the fish sauce. Thus, inoculation of HTMs and barley koji was effective for conferring the soy-sauce-like flavor and increasing free amino acid and ethanol contents in fish sauce product.

Halophilic lactic acid bacteria were isolated from fish sauce mashes fermented at 1 to 12 months. Seven out of sixty-four isolates were selected according to their proteolytic activity and growth at 25% NaCl for characterization and investigation of volatile compound production. All selected isolates were Gram-positive cocci with pairs/tetrads and grew at 0-25% NaCl, pH 4.5-9.0. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed 99% homology to Tetragenococcus halophilus ATCC 33315. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of all isolates were also similar to those of T. halophilus ATCC 33315. These isolates were, thus, identified as T. halophilus. All isolates hydrolyzed fish protein in the medium containing 25% NaCl. Intracellular aminopeptidase of 7 isolates exhibited the highest activity of 2.85-3.67 U/ml toward Ala-p-nitroanilide (Ala-pNA). T.halophilus strains MS33 and M11 showed the highest alanyl aminopeptidase activity (P

Tetragenococcus halophilus is known to flourish in extreme salt environments. Recently, this halophilic bacterium also appeared as the dominant microflora during storage of sugar thick juice, an intermediate product of beet sugar production. Although T. halophilus can cause degradation of thick juice, dominance of this bacterium does not always result in degradation. In this study T. halophilus strains from high-salt and high-sugar environments, and in particular from degraded and non-degraded thick juice, were compared in detail. Both physiological and genetic characterization using Biolog, repetitive PCR fingerprinting (rep-PCR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technology, revealed clear differences between T. halophilus strains isolated from salt- and sugar-rich environments. However, no strain pattern could be specifically and systematically associated with degraded or non-degraded thick juice. Remarkably, halophilic T. halophilus strains were not able to grow in sugar thick juice. Irrespective of the differences between the strains from high-salt or high-sugar environments, DNA-DNA hybridization grouped all strains within the species T. halophilus, except one isolate from sugar thick juice that showed different physiological and genetic characteristics, and that may represent a new species of Tetragenococcus.

The industrial storage of sugar thick juice was simulated on a laboratory scale. Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and the application of Clone Libraries in parallel with classical microbiology were used to study the bacterial diversity and all revealed a dominance (>99%) of Tetragenococcus halophilus during storage. The degradation of thick juice correlated with the appearance of L-lactic acid and high concentrations of T. halophilus. In addition, pure cultures of T. halophilus induced degradation of sterile thick juice. A specific PCR was developed to detect T. halophilus and industrial thick juice samples from Belgium, Germany and France all contained T. halophilus, suggesting a consistent association of this organism with thick juice. T. halophilus has been known only as a halophile thus far, and this report is the first to show an association of this organism with a sugar-rich environment. ispartof: Food Microbiology vol:25 issue:2 pages:413-21 ispartof: location:England status: published

Aims: This study assessed the value of a commercial alkaline solution of hop β-acids (HBA) for prevention of microbial degradation of thick juice, a concentrated intermediate product in the production of beet sugar. Methods and Results: The antimicrobial effect of different concentrations of HBA against microbial degradation of thick juice was tested in a pilot-scale storage experiment. Chemical, biochemical and microbial parameters were monitored during thick juice storage. Thick juice degradation, indicated as a decrease in pH, was generally accompanied by an increase in the count of fastidious bacteria (FB) on Columbia Agar with Sheep Blood (CAwSB), which were mainly identified as Tetragenococcus halophilus. Addition of HBA delayed juice acidification and the development of FB in a concentration-dependent manner. The susceptibility of FB to HBA was determined by plating degraded thick juice (FB > 105 CFU ml−1) on CAwSB plates with different concentrations of HBA (0–160 ppm). None of the HBA concentrations tested reduced the number of FB colonies formed, but increasing HBA concentrations extended the lag time of colony formation. Conclusions: HBA produce no measurable bactericidal effect, but retard the development of FB in thick juice. Moreover, HBA do not prevent the thick juice from deteriorating, but significantly delay its degradation. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results indicate that adding a commercially available HBA formulation can prolong the storage life of thick juice in the sugar industry, although degradation cannot be eliminated. Future research will focus on the detailed characterization of FB consistently isolated from degraded thick juice and on determining their role in thick juice degradation.

1. Summary The phylogenetic interrelationships of the genera Pediococcus and Aerococcus were investigated using reverse transcriptase sequencing of 16S rRNA. The genus Pediococcus was found to be phylogenetically heterogeneous. The four species P. acidilactici, P. damnosus, P. parvulus and P. pentosaceus formed a phylogenetically distinct group. Within this pediococcal cluster, P. acidilactici was closely related to P. pentosaceus whereas P. damnosus showed a specific relationship with P. parvulus. The species P. dextrinicus, although showing significant sequence relatedness with these pediococcal species, was peripheral to the genus. Pediococcus halophilus exhibited low sequence homology with all of the species examined and formed a distinct line of descent. Pediococcus halophilus exhibited a closer affinity with enterococci and carnobacteria than with the other lactic acid bacteria. Pediococcus urinae-equi was phylogenetically very closely related to Aerococcus viridans. The 16S rRNA sequences of the type strains of these species differed by only two nucleotides (99.9% sequence homology) and clearly demonstrate that P. urinae-equi is a member of the genus Aerococcus.

In order to analyze the genes related to the histamine production, a strain of histamine producing halophilic bacteria, referred to as strain H, was isolated using enrichment culture and dilution-to-extinction methods with histidine broth inoculated from the fish sauce mashes. The two Japanese fish sauce mashes used, accumulate over 1000 mg/l of histamine. Phenotypic and 16 S rRNA gene sequence analyses identified strain H as Tetragenococcus halophilus, the predominant histamine producing bacteria present during fish sauce fermentation. Genetic analyses (PCR and Southern blot) of the histamine producing strain confirmed that the strain harbored a 30 kbp plasmid (pHDC) encoding a single copy of the pyruvoyl dependent histidine decarboxylase gene (hdc). A comparison of hdcA that is a structural gene of histidine decarboxylase among strain H, Lactobacillus hilgardii 0006, L. sakei LTH2076, Oenococcus oeni 9204, T. halophilus and T. muriaticus JCM10006 (T) indicated >99% sequence similarity. The hdc gene cluster consisted of 4 ORFs, hdcP, hdcA, hdcB, and hdcRS, and were almost identical to that of L. hilgardii 0006 with 99% sequence similarity including the structural hdc spacer region. However, the approximately 500 bp regions upstream and downstream of the hdc gene were different between that of strain H and L. hilgardii 0006. The complete sequence of pHDC revealed 29,924 nucleotides including 28 ORFs, two pairs of IR (inverted repeat), similar sequence of plasmid conjugative elements, and a theta-type replicon. These results suggested that hdc could be encoded on transformable elements among lactic acid bacteria.

A halophilic lactic acid bacterium, Tetragenococcus halophilus, was found to possess an immunomodulatory activity that promotes T helper type 1 (Th1) immunity in addition to its important roles in soy sauce brewing. Strain Th221 was selected from 151 strains isolated from soy sauce (shoyu) moromi, since it induced strong interleukin (IL)-12 production by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The relationship between the salt concentration in the medium and the IL-12 production-inducing activity of this strain was investigated, and the activity was found to be strong when the bacteria were grown in medium containing > or =10% (w/v) salt. The Th1-promoting activity was also manifested in an in vivo mouse study, since Th1-dependant contact sensitivity was augmented and Th2 immunity, as evaluated by specific immunoglobulin E production, was suppressed following oral ingestion of Th221. Based on these findings, Th221 administration may be useful for improving allergic symptoms.

Aims: To isolate, characterize, and identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in suan-tsai (fermented mustard), a traditional fermented food in Taiwan. Methods and Results: Suan-tsai samples were collected at five time points from a fixed fermenting bucket. Fifty cultures were isolated from suan-tsai samples, and isolates were divided into classes by phenotype and then into groups by restriction-fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA. Phenotypic and biochemical characteristics identified two different bacterial groups (A and B), and the results showed that Pediococcus pentosaceus was the most abundant LAB during the initial fermentation time. However, the more NaCl-tolerant species Tetragenococcus halophilus took the place of P. pentosaceus and became the most abundant LAB later. All isolates were grown in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth containing 6% NaCl, but T. halophilus could grow only in MRS broth containing 10% NaCl. Conclusions: These results suggest that the LAB P. pentosaceus and T. halophilus play roles in the fermentation of suan-tsai. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report describing the distribution and varieties of LAB that exist in the suan-tsai fermentation process.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccus (strain JST) was isolated from kimchi (a traditional Korean food) and investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain JST and its closest relative, Tetragenococcus halophilus IAM 1676T, was 98·1 %. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between the two strains was 9·7 %. Strain JST had a DNA G+C content of 38·3 % and a cellular fatty acid profile containing 16 : 0, 18 : 1 and cyclo fatty acids. Phylogenetic data and genomic and phenotypic features demonstrated that strain JST represents a novel species, for which the name Tetragenococcus koreensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JST (=KCTC 3924T=DSM 16501T=LMG 22864T).

Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed thatEnterococcus solitariusis not a member of the genusEnterococcus, but is related to species of the genusTetragenococcus. On a phylogenetic tree,E. solitariusclustered withTetragenococcus halophilusandTetragenococcus muriaticus, with which it showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity level (about 94 %). Phenotypic studies indicated thatE. solitariuswas also unable to produce acid from lactose, providing further evidence of its affiliation to the genusTetragenococcus. DNA hybridization studies indicated thatE. solitariuswas clearly a separate species, different fromT. halophilusandT. muriaticus(reassociation levels of about 23 and 54 %, respectively). As suggested in previous studies,E. solitariusis closely related to but clearly distinct fromT. halophilus. Based upon properties that taxonomically distinguish it from species of the genusEnterococcus, it is proposed thatE. solitariusbe transferred to the genusTetragenococcusand reclassified asTetragenococcus solitariuscomb. nov. (type strain, 885/78T=ATCC 49428T=CCUG 29293T=CIP 103330T=DSM 5634T=JCM 8736T=LMG 12890T=NCTC 12193T).

AspT is an electrogenic aspartate:alanine exchange protein that represents the vectorial component of a proton-motive metabolic cycle found in some strains of Tetragenococcus halophilus. AspT is the sole member of a new family, the Aspartate: Alanine Exchanger (AAE) family, in secondary transporters, according to the computational classification proposed by Saier et al. (http://www.biology.ucsd.edu/~msaier/transport/). We analyzed the topology of AspT biochemically, by using fusion methods in combination with alkaline phosphatase or beta-lactamase. These results suggested that AspT has a unique topology; 8 TMS, a large cytoplasmic loop (183 amino acids) between TMS5 and TMS6, and N- and C-termini that both face the periplasm. These results demonstrated a unique 2D-structure of AspT as the novel AAE family.

Lactic acid bacteria from "terasi" shrimp paste, a highly popular fermented seafood in Indonesia were isolated and characterized. Viable cell counts were 10(4) to 10(6) cfu/g on MRS medium. All the isolates were catalase-negative, gram-positive cocci and were able to grow at 15% NaCl. Numerical phenotypic analysis showed that the isolates clustered into one group. However, they could be classified into two types: the Tetragenococcus halophilus group and the T. muriaticus group as revealed by a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. This study is the first to show that both species of Tetragenococcus are distributed in Indonesian fermented foods.

Forty-seven salt-tolerant lactic acid bacteria, which had been isolated from different places and grown in 15% NaCl, were examined to assess their taxonomic heterogeneity. Among the isolates, 42 were isolated from shoyu mash during the acid fermentation phase, 2 were from miso and 3 were from anchovy pickles. All isolates were identified as Tetragenococcus halophilus on the basis of DNA relatedness values. We further examined 102 phenotypic characteristics of them. The isolates exhibited differences in only 16, supporting the conclusion obtained from the DNA relatedness analysis.

Fourteen sphere-shaped and 30 rod-shaped lactic acid bacteria were isolated from soy sauce mash of two factories in Thailand. These strains were separated into two groups, Group A and Group B, by cell shape and DNA-DNA similarity. Group A contained 14 tetrad-forming strains, and these strains were identified as Tetragenococcus halophilus by DNA similarity. Group B contained 30 rod-shaped bacteria, and they were further divided into four Subgroups, B1, B2, B3, and B4, and three ungrouped strains by phenotypic characteristics and DNA similarity. Subgroup B1 contained 16 strains, and these strains were identified as Lactobacillus acidipiscis by DNA similarity. Subgroup B2 included two strains, and the strains were identified as Lactobacillus farciminis by DNA similarity. Subgroup B3 contained five strains. The strains had meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall, and were identified as Lactobacillus pentosus by DNA similarity. The strains tested produced DL-lactic acid from D-glucose. Subgroup B4 contained four strains. The strains had meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall, and they were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by DNA similarity. Two ungrouped strains were homofermentative, and one was heterofermentative. They showed a low degree of DNA similarity with the type strains tested, and were left unnamed. The distribution of lactic acid bacteria in soy sauce mash in Thailand is discussed.

A 3-kb region, located downstream of the Lactobacillus brevis xylA gene (encoding D-xylose isomerase), was cloned in Escherichia coli TG1. The sequence revealed two open reading frames which could code for the D-xylulose kinase gene (xylB) and another gene (xylT) encoding a protein of 457 amino acids with significant similarity to the D-xylose-H+ symporters of E. coli, XylE (57%), and Bacillus megaterium, XylT (58%), to the D-xylose-Na+ symporter of Tetragenococcus halophila, XylE (57%), and to the L-arabinose- H+ symporter of E. coli, AraE (60%). The L. brevis xylABT genes showed an arrangement similar to that of the B. megaterium xylABT operon and the T. halophila xylABE operon. Southern hybridization performed with the Lactobacillus pentosus xylR gene (encoding the D-xylose repressor protein) as a probe revealed the existence of a xylR homologue in L. brevis which is not located with the xyABT locus. The existence of a functional XylR was further suggested by the presence of xylO sequences upstream of xylA and xylT and by the requirement of D-xylose for the induction of D-xylose isomerase, D- xylulose kinase, and D-xylose transport activities in L. brevis. When L. brevis was cultivated in a mixture of D-glucose and D-xylose, the D-xylose isomerase and D-xylulose kinase activities were reduced fourfold and the D- xylose transport activity was reduced by sixfold, suggesting catabolite repression by D-glucose of D-xylose assimilation. The xylT gene was functionally expressed in Lactobacillus plantarum 80, a strain which lacks proton motive force-linked D-xylose transport activity. The role of the XylT protein was confirmed by the accumulation of D-xylose in L. plantarum 80 cells, and this accumulation was dependent on the proton motive force generated by either malolactic fermentation or by the metabolism of D- glucose. The apparent affinity constant of XylT for D-xylose was approximately 215 μM, and the maximal initial velocity of transport was 35 nmol/min per mg (dry weight). Furthermore, of a number of sugars tested, only 6-deoxy-D-glucose inhibited the transport of D-xylose by XylT competitively, with a K(i) of 220 μM.

A 3-kb region, located downstream of the Lactobacillus brevis xylA gene (encoding D-xylose isomerase), was cloned in Escherichia coli TG1. The sequence revealed two open reading frames which could code for the D-xylulose kinase gene (xylB) and another gene (xylT) encoding a protein of 457 amino acids with significant similarity to the D-xylose-H+ symporters of E. coli, XylE (57%), and Bacillus megaterium, XylT (58%), to the D-xylose-Na+ symporter of Tetragenococcus halophila, XylE (57%), and to the L-arabinose- H+ symporter of E. coli, AraE (60%). The L. brevis xylABT genes showed an arrangement similar to that of the B. megaterium xylABT operon and the T. halophila xylABE operon. Southern hybridization performed with the Lactobacillus pentosus xylR gene (encoding the D-xylose repressor protein) as a probe revealed the existence of a xylR homologue in L. brevis which is not located with the xyABT locus. The existence of a functional XylR was further suggested by the presence of xylO sequences upstream of xylA and xylT and by the requirement of D-xylose for the induction of D-xylose isomerase, D- xylulose kinase, and D-xylose transport activities in L. brevis. When L. brevis was cultivated in a mixture of D-glucose and D-xylose, the D-xylose isomerase and D-xylulose kinase activities were reduced fourfold and the D- xylose transport activity was reduced by sixfold, suggesting catabolite repression by D-glucose of D-xylose assimilation. The xylT gene was functionally expressed in Lactobacillus plantarum 80, a strain which lacks proton motive force-linked D-xylose transport activity. The role of the XylT protein was confirmed by the accumulation of D-xylose in L. plantarum 80 cells, and this accumulation was dependent on the proton motive force generated by either malolactic fermentation or by the metabolism of D- glucose. The apparent affinity constant of XylT for D-xylose was approximately 215 μM, and the maximal initial velocity of transport was 35 nmol/min per mg (dry weight). Furthermore, of a number of sugars tested, only 6-deoxy-D-glucose inhibited the transport of D-xylose by XylT competitively, with a K(i) of 220 μM.

The 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequences of eleven Enterococcus species were determined by reverse transcription in an attempt to clarify their intrageneric relationships. Comparative analysis of the sequence data revealed the presence of several species groups within the genus. The species E. avium, E. malodoratus, E. pseudoavium and E. raffinosus formed a distinct group as did E. durans, E. faecium, E. hirae and E. mundtii and the pair of species E. casseliflavus and E. gallinarum . Of the remaining species, E. cecorum, E. columbae, E. faecalis and E. saccharolyticus formed distinct lines of descent within the genus, whereas E. solitarius displayed a closer affinity with Tetragenococcus halophilus than with other enterococcal species.

The presence of bacteria in salted anchovies during and at the end of the curing process was investigated. Attempts to isolate bacteria under aerobic or anaerobic conditions led to the isolation of only bacteria of the genus Pediococcus which were identified as Pediococcus halophilus. The isolates correspond to a rather heterogeneous group in which some of the members differ in some biochemical tests from the types described in the literature.

Background Tetragenococcus (T.) halophilus can be isolated from a variety of fermented foods, such as soy sauce, different soy pastes, salted fish sauce and from cheese brine or degraded sugar beet thick juice. This species contributes by the formation of short chain acids to the flavor of the product. Recently, T. halophilus has been identified as a dominant species in a seasoning sauce fermentation based on koji made with lupine seeds. Results In this study we characterized six strains of T. halophilus isolated from lupine moromi fermentations in terms of their adaptation towards this fermentation environment, salt tolerance and production of biogenic amines. Phylogenic and genomic analysis revealed three distinctive lineages within the species T. halophilus with no relation to their isolation source, besides the lineage of T. halophilus subsp. flandriensis. All isolated strains from lupine moromi belong to one lineage in that any of the type strains are absent. The strains form lupine moromi could not convincingly be assigned to one of the current subspecies. Taken together with strain specific differences in the carbohydrate metabolism (arabinose, mannitol, melibiose, gluconate, galactonate) and amino acid degradation pathways such as arginine deiminase pathway (ADI) and the agmatine deiminase pathway (AgDI) the biodiversity in the species of T. halophilus is greater than expected. Among the new strains, some strains have a favorable combination of traits wanted in a starter culture. Conclusions Our study characterized T. halophilus strains that were isolated from lupine fermentation. The lupine moromi environment appears to select strains with specific traits as all of the strains are phylogenetically closely related, which potentially can be used as a starter culture for lupine moromi. We also found that the strains can be clearly distinguished phylogenetically and phenotypically from the type strains of both subspecies T. halophilus subsp. halophilus and T. halophilus subsp. flandriensis.