Microbial diversity in raw milk and traditional fermented dairy products (Hurood cheese and Jueke) from Inner Mongolia, China.

Hurood cheese (HC) and Jueke (Jk) are 2 traditional fermented dairy products produced from raw milk (RM) in the Inner Mongolia region of China. They have a long history of production and consumption. The microbial compositions of RM, HC, and Jk vary greatly, and are influenced by their geographical origins and unique processing methods. In this study, 2 batches of RM, HC, and Jk samples were collected (April and August 2015) from the Zhenglan Banner, a region located in the southern part of Inner Mongolian belonging to the Xilingol league prefecture. The bacterial and fungal diversities of the samples were determined by 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis, respectively. A total of 112 bacterial and 30 fungal sequences were identified, with Firmicutes and Ascomycota being the predominant phyla for bacteria and fungi, respectively. Lactococcus and Lactobacillus were identified as the main bacterial genera, whereas Kluyveromyces was the predominant fungus identified in the 3 dairy products. Different bacterial and fungal compositions were observed in RM, HC, and Jk samples collected at different times. These results suggested that time of production may be an important factor influencing the microbial diversity present in RM, HC, and Jk.

Expression of a GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase-like gene in a Chinese wild Vitis species induces responses to Erysiphe necator and defense signaling molecules.

Using rapid amplification of cDNA ends, a full-length cDNA sequence of a GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase-like gene was isolated from leaves infected by Erysiphe necator in the Chinese wild (Vitis pseudoreticulata) clone, 'Baihe-35-1', an E. necator-resistant genotype. The full-length cDNA, designated as VpVTC, comprised 1943 bp and putatively encodes a 453-amino acid polypeptide containing an HIT motif. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity with that of VTC genes from other plants. The expression of VpVTC, determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, was induced by E. necator and defense signaling molecules, including salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and ethephon, in 'Baihe-35-1', the V. quinquangularis genotype 'Shang-24', and the E. necator-susceptible V. pseudoreticulata genotype, 'Hunan-1'. Transcript levels of VpVTC correlated well with the degree of disease resistance in the 3 genotypes. Maximum induction of VpVTC by E. necator (>7-fold at 96 h post-inoculation) occurred in 'Baihe-35-1', which also showed the fastest response to signaling molecules. Upregulating the expression of VpVTC in 'Baihe-35-1' resulted in a gradual increase in the ascorbic acid concentration of leaves inoculated with E. necator. Furthermore, VpVTC was expressed in leaves, stems, inflorescence, tendrils, and fruit at all developmental stages, with the highest level occurring in fruit 35 days after flowering.