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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
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The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective
Published on: June 16, 2022
Lactococcus fujiensis sp. nov., a lactic acid bacterium isolated from vegetable matter
Yimin Cai1, Jinsong Yang2, Huili Pang3
1Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan.
Summary
Three novel lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from Chinese cabbage represent a new species, Lactococcus fujiensis. These bacteria are facultatively anaerobic cocci producing L-lactic acid.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Taxonomy
Background:
- Lactic acid bacteria are crucial in food fermentation and possess diverse metabolic capabilities.
- The genus Lactococcus includes important species like Lactococcus lactis, widely used in dairy industries.
- Exploring novel bacterial strains from plant sources can reveal new species with unique properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To taxonomically characterize three lactic acid bacteria strains (NJ 317(T), NJ 414, NJ 415) isolated from Chinese cabbage.
- To determine if these strains represent a known or novel species within the Lactococcus genus.
- To propose a new species name and designate a type strain based on comprehensive analysis.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of bacterial strains from Chinese cabbage outer leaves.
- Phenotypic characterization including Gram staining, catalase test, gas production, and acid formation.
- Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH).
- Fatty acid analysis and DNA G+C content determination.
Main Results:
- The isolates were gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic cocci producing L-lactic acid.
- Phylogenetic analysis placed the strains within the Lactococcus genus, closely related to Lactococcus lactis and Lactococcus garvieae (94.4% 16S rRNA similarity).
- However, DNA-DNA hybridization showed low relatedness (<20.2%) to known Lactococcus species, indicating they represent a distinct species.
Conclusions:
- Strains NJ 317(T), NJ 414, and NJ 415 constitute a novel species within the genus Lactococcus.
- The proposed name for this new species is Lactococcus fujiensis sp. nov.
- Strain NJ 317(T) is designated as the type strain (JCM16395(T) = CGMCC 1.10453(T)).
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