Potential role of salivary lactic acid bacteria in pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence emphasized the role of oral microbiome in oral lichen planus (OLP). To date, no dominant pathogenic bacteria have been identified consistently. It is noteworthy that a decreased abundance of Streptococcus, a member of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in OLP patients has been commonly reported, indicating its possible effect on OLP. This study aims to investigate the composition of LAB genera in OLP patients by high-throughput sequencing, and to explore the possible relationship between them. METHODS: We collected saliva samples from patients with OLP (n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 22) and performed 16 S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. In addition, the abundance of LAB genera was comprehensively analyzed and compared between OLP and HC group. To verify the expression of Lactococcus lactis, real time PCR was conducted in buccal mucosa swab from another 14 patients with OLP and 10 HC. Furthermore, the correlation was conducted between clinical severity of OLP and LAB. RESULTS: OLP and HC groups showed similar community richness and diversity. The members of LAB, Lactococcus and Lactococcus lactis significantly decreased in saliva of OLP cases and negatively associated with OLP severity. In addition, Lactococcus and Lactococcus lactis showed negative relationship with Fusobacterium and Aggregatibacter, which were considered as potential pathogens of OLP. Similarly, compared with healthy controls, the amount of Lactococcus lactis in mucosa lesion of OLP patients was significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: A lower amount of Lactococcus at genus level, Lactococcus lactis at species level was observed in OLP cases and associated with disease severity. Further studies to verify the relationship between LAB and OLP, as well as to explore the precise mechanism is needed.

Acute Cholecystitis Due to Lactococcus lactis and Single-Center Experience With Infections Due to Lactococcus spp.

Background: Lactococcus species are used to ferment milk to yogurt, cheese, and other products. The gram-positive coccus causes diseases in amphibia and fish and is a rare human pathogen. Patients and Methods: A 51-year-old male underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute and chronic calculous cholecystitis. Lactococcus lactis was isolated from pus from his gallbladder empyema. Results: Our institutional database was searched for other cases of Lactococcus spp. infections and four patients (2 males, 2 females; aged 51, 64, 78, and 80 years) were identified during a four-year period. The three other patients had positive blood cultures associated with pneumonia, toxic megacolon, and severe gastroenteritis. All isolates were monocultures with Lactococcus lactis (2), Lactococcus garvieae (1) and Lactococcus raffinolactis (1). Two patients died related to their sepsis. We report the second case of cholecystitis involving Lactococcus. Conclusions: Lactococcus is a very rare pathogen mainly causing blood stream infections but needs to be considered to cause serious surgical infections in humans.

Linking Pélardon artisanal goat cheese microbial communities to aroma compounds during cheese-making and ripening.

Pélardon is an artisanal French raw goat's milk cheese, produced using natural whey as a backslop. The aim of this study was to identify key microbial players involved in the acidification and aroma production of this Protected Designation of Origin cheese. Microbial diversity of samples, collected from the raw milk to 3-month cheese ripening, was determined by culture-dependent (MALDI-TOF analysis of 2877 isolates) and -independent (ITS2 and 16S metabarcoding) approaches and linked to changes in biochemical profiles (volatile compounds and acids). In parallel, potential dominant autochthonous microorganism reservoirs were also investigated by sampling the cheese-factory environment. Complex and increasing microbial diversity was observed by both approaches during ripening although major discrepancies were observed regarding Lactococcus lactis and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei fate. By correlating microbial shifts to biochemical changes, Lactococcus lactis was identified as the main acidifying bacterium, while L. mesenteroides and Geotrichum candidum were prevalent and associated with amino acids catabolism after the acidification step. The three species were dominant in the whey (backslop). In contrast, L. paracasei, Enterococcus faecalis, Penicillium commune and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, which dominated during ripening, likely originated from the cheese-making environment. All these four species were positively correlated to major volatile compounds responsible for the goaty and earthy Pélardon cheese aroma. Overall, this work highlighted the power of MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques combined with volatilome analyses to dynamically follow and identify microbial communities during cheese-making and successively identify the key-players involved in aroma production and contributing to the typicity of Pélardon cheese.

Investigation of the microbiota associated with ungerminated and germinated Norwegian barley cultivars with focus on lactic acid bacteria.

The microbial community of ungerminated and germinated barley grains from three different cultivars grown at four different locations in Norway was investigated by culture dependent and culture independent methods. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was focused in this study and was isolated from germinated barley. The number of LAB ranged between 2.8 and 4.6 log cfu/g in ungerminated grains and between 4.9 and 6.3 log cfu/g in germinated grains. In total 66 out of 190 isolates were Gram+, catalase-negative and presumptive LAB. The LAB isolates were by 16S rRNA sequencing identified to be Carnobacterium maltaromaticum (6), Lactococcus lactis (2), Enterococcus sp. (1) and Leuconostoc sp. (57). Germination significantly influenced the bacterial composition. Regarding the different cultivars and growth places no significant difference in bacterial composition was seen. The most abundant bacterial genus was Pantoea (18.5% of the total sequences), followed by Rhizobium (10.1%) and Sphingomonas (9.9%). Fungal composition was significantly influenced by the germination process and the cultivation place, but no significant difference in fungal composition was detected between the 3 cultivars. The most abundant fungal genera were Cryptococcus (43.8% of all the sequences), Cladosporium (8.2%), Pyrenophora (7.4%) and Vagicola (6.3%). This study revealed knowledge of barley grain associated microbes of Norwegian barley that can be useful to control the malt quality. Germination affected both bacterial and fungal microbiota composition. No difference in bacterial microbiota composition was seen regarding cultivars and cultivation place, however, the fungal microbiota composition was significantly influenced by the cultivation place. Differences in fungal community of ungerminated and germinated barley samples of different geographical locations were more pronounced than differences in bacterial communities.

Isolation and Evaluation of Anti-Listeria Lactococcus lactis from Vegetal Sources.

This chapter describes methods used to isolate, identify, and partially characterize lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which exhibit inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes from foods. Vegetal (plant based) sources are rich in naturally occurring LAB and therefore provide an easily accessible source of strains with potential antimicrobial activity for use in food-processing applications. From our previous work, the majority of LAB with inhibitory activity against L. monocytogenes were identified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) Lactococcus lactis. Although these bacteria are most commonly known for their role in industrial dairy fermentations, they are believed to have originally derived from natural plant-based habitats. These isolates with anti-Listeria activity were all found to carry the genes involved in the production of nisin, which is an approved food-grade preservative (E234). These isolates may find various applications for in situ production of nisin allowing control of L. monocytogenes in various fermented and non-fermented foods and other environments.

Fermentation Enhanced Biotransformation of Compounds in the Kernel of Chrysophyllum albidum.

Chrysophyllum albidum Linn (African star apple) is a fruit with extensive nutritional and medicinal benefits. The fruit and kernel in the seed are both edible. Strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from fermented seeds and assessed for probiotic characteristics. The extracts in both the unfermented and the fermented aqueous extracts from the kernels obtained from the seeds of C. albidum were subjected to analysis using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. This analysis identified the bioactive compounds present as possible substrate(s) for the associated organisms inducing the fermentation and the resultant biotransformed products formed. Three potential probiotic LAB strains identified as Lactococcus raffinolactis (ProbtA1), Lactococcus lactis (ProbtA2a), and Pediococcus pentosaceus (ProbtA2b) were isolated from the fermented C. albidum seeds. All strains were non hemolytic, which indicated their safety, Probt (A1, A2a, and A2b) grew in an acidic environment (pH 3.5) during the 48-h incubation time, and all three strains grew in 1% bile, and exhibited good hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation properties. Mucin binding proteins was not detected in any strain, and bile salt hydrolase was detected in all the strains. l-lactic acid (28.57%), norharman (5.07%), formyl 7E-hexadecenoate (1.73%), and indole (1.51%) were the four major constituents of the fermented kernel of the C. albidum, while 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (C1, 1.27%), 3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydropyran-4-one (C2, 2.90%), indole (C3, 1.31%), norharman (C4, 3.01%), and methyl petroselinate (C5, 4.33%) were the five major constituents of the unfermented kernels. The isolated LAB are safe for consumption. The fermenting process metabolized C1, C2, and C5, which are possible starter cultures for the growth of probiotics. Fermentation is an essential tool for bioengineering molecules in foods into safe and health beneficial products.

Influence of inoculated gut bacteria on the development of Bactrocera dorsalis and on its susceptibility to the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae.

BACKGROUND: Symbiotic interactions between insects and bacteria have been associated with a vast variety of physiological, ecological and evolutionary consequences for the host. A wide range of bacterial communities have been found in association with the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), an important pest of cultivated fruit in most regions of the world. We evaluated the diversity of gut bacteria in B. dorsalis specimens from several populations in Kenya and investigated the roles of individual bacterial isolates in the development of axenic (germ-free) B. dorsalis fly lines and their responses to the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae. RESULTS: We sequenced 16S rRNA to evaluate microbiomes and coupled this with bacterial culturing. Bacterial isolates were mono-associated with axenic B. dorsalis embryos. The shortest embryonic development period was recorded in flies with an intact gut microbiome while the longest period was recorded in axenic fly lines. Similarly, larval development was shortest in flies with an intact gut microbiome, in addition to flies inoculated with Providencia alcalifaciens. Adult B. dorsalis flies emerging from embryos that had been mono-associated with a strain of Lactococcus lactis had decreased survival when challenged with a standard dosage of M. anisopliae ICIPE69 conidia. However, there were no differences in survival between the germ-free lines and flies with an intact microbiome. CONCLUSIONS: These findings will contribute to the selection of probiotics used in artificial diets for B. dorsalis rearing and the development of improved integrated pest management strategies based on entomopathogenic fungi.

Influence of Electroosmotic Flow on Stochastic Collisions at Ultramicroelectrodes.

The collision events of single Lactococcus lactis bacteria at Pt disk ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) were characterized using electrochemistry with correlated microscopy. A finite element model was developed which applied coupled simulations of concentration and solution velocity to elucidate the influence of electroosmotic flow on transport of bacteria near the electrode. The model established that, in stochastic collision experiments with steady-state oxidation at disk UMEs in low ionic strength solutions, electroosmotic flow occurring at the glass insulation of the electrode produces significant convection in the vicinity of the electrode disk (velocities >50 µm/s). For L. lactis, the particle velocity due to convection driven by electroosmotic flow exceeded that of electrophoresis at locations radial to the electrode disk, leading to transport away from the electrode. Correlated microscopy of collision experiments of L. lactis using a 5 µm radius Pt disk UME in 2 mM ferrocenemethanol (FcM) with either 0.035 or 0.1 mM KCl confirmed that L. lactis experienced transport by convection due to electroosmotic flow. Velocities of L. lactis extracted from correlated microscopy movies collected at the two KCl concentrations agreed with the finite elements model. Current-time (i-t) curves recorded during the collision experiments showed transients that occurred when colliding L. lactis reduced transport of FcM to the electrode. The current transients had step shapes when L. lactis collided and adsorbed and spike shapes when they collided and then moved away from the electrode. By comparing the microscopy to simulations, we concluded that the driving mechanism for the spike-shaped transients was convection due to electroosmotic flow. Moreover, these findings suggest that electroosmotic flow is significant for particle transport in stochastic collision experiments in solutions of low ionic strength, regardless of the analyte.

Meat Native Lactic Acid Bacteria Capable to Inhibit Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli.

In this study, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from ground beef, and it was analyzed if they have any effect on the growth of two reference bacteria (Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli). It was found that five isolates showed an inhibitory effect in both reference bacteria by spot at the lawn assay. These bacteria were selected to perform growth kinetics in co-culture to determine if they modify the growth parameters of the reference bacteria. Subsequently, LAB cultures and three treatments (crude extract, thermally treated and thermally treated with neutral pH) of cells free supernatants (CFS) were screened by the agar well diffusion assay. In co-culture, selected LAB altered the growth rate and reduce the maximum population of both reference bacteria. While, LAB cultures and CFS also showed antimicrobial activity, and there was no significant difference among CFS treatments. LAB isolated from ground beef showed an antimicrobial effect against the reference bacteria that could be used for meat biopreservation purposes.

From Waste to Taste-Efficient Production of the Butter Aroma Compound Acetoin from Low-Value Dairy Side Streams Using a Natural (Nonengineered) Lactococcus lactis Dairy Isolate.

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis is widely used in dairy fermentations as it can form the butter aroma compounds acetoin and diacetyl from citrate in milk. Here, we explore the possibility of producing acetoin from the more abundant lactose. Starting from a dairy isolate of L. lactis biovar diacetylactis, we obtained a series of mutants with low lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) activity. One isolate, RD1M5, only had a single insertion mutation in the ldh gene compared to its parental strain as revealed by whole genome resequencing. We tested the ability of RD1M5 to produce acetoin in milk. With aeration, all the lactose could be consumed, and the only product was acetoin. In a simulated cheese fermentation, a 50% increase in acetoin concentration could be achieved. RD1M5 turned out to be an excellent cell factory for acetoin and was able to convert lactose in dairy waste into acetoin with high titer (41 g/L) and high yield (above 90% of the theoretical yield). Summing up, RD1M5 was found to be highly robust and to grow excellently in milk or dairy waste. Being natural in origin opens up for applications within dairies as well as for safe production of food-grade acetoin from low-cost substrates.

Microbial diversity analysis of jiaoke from Xilingol, Inner Mongolia.

Jiaoke is a traditional Mongolian fermented dairy product that is nutritious and has a unique taste. It is made from the fat separated from fermented milk. In this study, we collected 24 jiaoke samples from the Xilingol region of Inner Mongolia. The microbiota composition of the collected samples was analyzed using 16S rRNA small-molecule real-time sequencing, and the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population was enumerated and isolated by laboratory culture techniques. We used an electronic tongue device to assess the taste quality of the products. One hundred fifty LAB isolates (5 genera and 14 species) were recovered and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing across all samples. Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum accounted for 51.33% and 10.67% of the total isolates, respectively. The small-molecule real-time sequencing of full-length 16S rRNAs revealed an overall bacterial microbiota composition of 10 phyla, 121 genera, and 186 species, largely represented by sequences of Lactococcus (68.46%) and Lactococcus lactis (52.92%) at the genus and species levels, respectively. The electronic tongue analysis revealed that the sweetness, bitterness, sourness, and saltiness of jiaoke varied greatly between samples. The presence of Lactococcus lactis correlated positively with bitter aftertaste; the presence of Lactococcus piscium correlated positively with umami and negatively with astringent and bitter aftertastes; and the presence of Lactobacillus helveticus correlated positively with sourness and negatively with other taste qualities. These results suggest that the microbiota composition and product taste are closely related. The novel LAB strains collected in this work represent valuable natural microbial resources.

Large-scale genome-wide analysis links lactic acid bacteria from food with the gut microbiome.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are fundamental in the production of fermented foods and several strains are regarded as probiotics. Large quantities of live LAB are consumed within fermented foods, but it is not yet known to what extent the LAB we ingest become members of the gut microbiome. By analysis of 9445 metagenomes from human samples, we demonstrate that the prevalence and abundance of LAB species in stool samples is generally low and linked to age, lifestyle, and geography, with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactococcus lactis being most prevalent. Moreover, we identify genome-based differences between food and gut microbes by considering 666 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) newly reconstructed from fermented food microbiomes along with 154,723 human MAGs and 193,078 reference genomes. Our large-scale genome-wide analysis demonstrates that closely related LAB strains occur in both food and gut environments and provides unprecedented evidence that fermented foods can be indeed regarded as a possible source of LAB for the gut microbiome.

Dynamics and species diversity of lactic acid bacteria involved in the spontaneous fermentation of various palm tree saps during palm wine tapping in Côte d'Ivoire.

To document and speed up research on the usefulness and selection of potential health-promoting bacterial starter cultures from unexplored fermented saps of various palm species in Côte d'Ivoire, benchmark tapping processes were successfully developed and implemented at field level. Therefore, spontaneously fermented saps of three palm species (Elaeis guineensis, Raphia hookeri, Borassus aethiopum) were collected throughout tapping process and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) diversity and dynamics were studied through a multiphasic approach. Overall microbiological analysis revealed a LAB species diversity throughout tapping process. LAB isolates belonged to two main (GTG)5-PCR clusters, namely Fructobacillus durionis (40.33%) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides (45.66%), with Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus fermentum Weissella cibaria, Enterococcus casseliflavus and Lactococcus lactis occurring occasionally. LAB diversity was higher in fermented saps from E. guineensis (8 species) than those of R. hookeri (5 species) and B. aethiopum (3 species). Dynamic study revealed that F. durionis and L. mesenteroides dominated the fermentations from the beginning until the end of tapping process in all palm wine types. But the earlier stages of the process were also populated by some species like W. cibaria, L. pseudomesenteroides and L. fermentum, which population decreased or disappeared after some days. Also, species of Enterococcus and Lactococcus genera were sporadically detected uniquely in sap from E. guineensis. This study is the first to investigate extensively the LAB diversity and dynamics throughout palm trees tapping process in Côte d'Ivoire and is relevant for future selection of health promoting bacteria.

In vitro assessment of potential probiotic characteristics of indigenous Lactococcus lactis and Weissella oryzae isolates from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum).

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the intestinal ecosystem of rainbow trout. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among LAB isolates, 10 of them were selected and screened for resistance to acid and bile salts, pancreatin, sodium chloride and temperature, hydrophobicity, growth profile and antimicrobial activity against fish pathogens. Then, biosafety assessments were investigated. Selected LAB tolerated to gastrointestinal physiological conditions, pancreatin and a range of sodium chloride and temperature. They also exhibited hydrophobicity and showed antagonistic activity against Streptococcus iniae and Yersinia ruckeri. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that selected LAB belonged to the Lactococcus lactis (n = 5) and Weissella oryzae (n = 5) species. They exhibited no ß-haemolytic activity, while six selected LAB were resistant to some antibiotics. None of them harboured virulence factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed probiotic characteristics of indigenous LAB isolated from the intestinal ecosystem of rainbow trout. However, further studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of these isolates as probiotics in aquaculture. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, the presence of probiotic candidates belonging to W. Oryzae was confirmed in fish intestinal microbiota.

Technological properties of indigenous Lactococcus lactis strains isolated from Lait caillé, a spontaneous fermented milk from Burkina Faso.

The experiments reported in this research paper aimed to determine the technological properties of indigenous Lactococcus lactis strains isolated from Lait caillé, a spontaneous fermented milk, from the perspective of starter culture development. Fermentations were conducted to determine the acidification patterns. The ropy character, growth in 0.04 g/ml NaCl and citrate metabolism were additionally tested. Furthermore, the rheological properties of samples from selected strains and the impact of cold storage were evaluated. Based on the rate of acidification, the indigenous strains were divided into 2 groups depending on their fermentation time, i.e. 10-13 h (fast acidifier), and up to 72 h (slow acidifier), respectively. The physiological tests suggested that most of these strains produced exopolysaccharides but none could ferment citrate. The flow properties of the samples inoculated by the fast acidifier strains showed a time-dependent shear thinning behaviour, while their viscoelastic properties corresponded structurally to those of weak gels. Cold storage decreased the viscosity and CFU counts for most of the indigenous strains tested. This study is a step towards the definition of starter cultures for African spontaneous fermented milks such as Lait caillé.

Investigation of genomic characteristics and carbohydrates' metabolic activity of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis during ripening of a Swiss-type cheese.

Genetic diversity and metabolic properties of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis were explored using phylogenetic, pan-genomic and metatranscriptomic analysis. The genomes, used in the current study, were available and downloaded from the GenBank which were primarily related with microorganisms isolated from dairy products and secondarily from other foodstuffs. To study the genetic diversity of the microorganism, various bioinformatics tools were employed such as average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, phylogenetic analysis, clusters of orthologous groups analysis, KEGG orthology analysis and pan-genomic analysis. The results showed that Lc. lactis subsp. lactis strains cannot be sufficiently separated into phylogenetic lineages based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences and core genome-based phylogenetic analysis was more appropriate. Pan-genomic analysis of the strains indicated that the core, accessory and unique genome comprised of 1036, 3146 and 1296 genes, respectively. Considering the results of pan-genomic and KEGG orthology analyses, the metabolic network of Lc. lactis subsp. lactis was rebuild regarding its carbohydrates' metabolic capabilities. Based on the metatranscriptomic data during the ripening of the Swiss-type Maasdam cheese at 20 °C and 5 °C, it was shown that the microorganism performed mixed acid fermentation producing lactate, formate, acetate, ethanol and 2,3-butanediol. Mixed acid fermentation was more pronounced at higher ripening temperatures. At lower ripening temperatures, the genes involved in mixed acid fermentation were repressed while lactate production remained unaffected resembling to a homolactic fermentation. Comparative genomics and metatranscriptomic analysis are powerful tools to gain knowledge on the genomic diversity of the lactic acid bacteria used as starter cultures as well as on the metabolic activities occurring in fermented dairy products.

A novel immobilized cell system involving Taiwanese kefir microorganisms and sugar cane pieces for fermented milk production.

The objective of this study was to develop a novel immobilized system using kefir lactic acid bacteria and sugar cane pieces for the production of fermented milk. Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens HL1, Lactobacillus kefiri HL2, Leuconostoc mesenteroides HL3, and Lactococcus lactis HL4 were isolated from Taiwanese kefir grains and immobilized on pieces of sugar cane using adsorption. Scanning electron micrographs of the cell-immobilized sugar cane pieces (CISCP) showed that the microorganisms were embedded within the porous structures of the sugar cane pieces. During 28 cycles of repeated batch fermentation, viable cells on both sugar cane pieces and fermented products were maintained at 10 log cfu/g (cfu/mL). Random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR analysis revealed that Leu. mesenteroides HL3 (29-43%) and Lc. lactis HL4 (31-49%) were predominant on the CISCP, and the fermented samples had 79% Lc. lactis HL4. When tracking fermentation parameters, the data on the microbial, chemical, and physical properties of the fermented milk suggested that the CISCP had stable fermentative ability over the course of successive fermentations. We found an enhancement of the acid-producing ability of CISCP as the number of fermentations increased, with a significant growth in titratable acidity from 0.65 to 0.81% by the end.

PacBio sequencing reveals bacterial community diversity in cheeses collected from different regions.

Cheese is a fermented dairy product that is popular for its unique flavor and nutritional value. Recent studies have shown that microorganisms in cheese play an important role in the fermentation process and determine the quality of the cheese. We collected 12 cheese samples from different regions and studied the composition of their bacterial communities using PacBio small-molecule real-time sequencing (Pacific Biosciences, Menlo Park, CA). Our data revealed 144 bacterial genera (including Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, and Staphylococcus) and 217 bacterial species (including Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Staphylococcus equorum, and Streptococcus uberis). We investigated the flavor quality of the cheese samples using an electronic nose system and we found differences in flavor-quality indices among samples from different regions. We found a clustering tendency based on flavor quality using principal component analysis. We found correlations between lactic acid bacteria and the flavor quality of the cheese samples. Biodegradation and metabolism of xenobiotics, and lipid-metabolism-related pathways, were predicted to contribute to differences in cheese flavor using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt). This preliminary study explored the bacterial communities in cheeses collected from different regions and their potential genome functions from the perspective of flavor quality.

Distribution of Lactococcus spp. in New York State dairy farms and the association of somatic cell count resolution and bacteriological cure in clinical mastitis samples.

We investigated the distribution of pathogenic non-agalactiae gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci (GPCN) in a convenience sample of New York State dairy farms. Our primary objective with the clinical mastitis (CM) GPCN samples was to evaluate somatic cell count (SCC) resolution and bacteriological cure of Streptococcus dysgalactiae or Streptococcus uberis versus Lactococcus lactis or Lactococcus garvieae in cows that received an approved intramammary treatment. In phase I, we assessed the distribution of the GPCN and SCC resolution. In phase II, we evaluated the SCC resolution and bacteriological cure in CM samples from the 4 farms with the highest prevalence of L. lactis or L. garvieae in phase I. In phase I, 8,868 CM and subclinical mastitis (SCM) milk samples were received from 143 farms. The GPCN samples identified by culture were confirmed with MALDI-TOF. From the 473 MALDI-TOF-confirmed GPCN samples, 155 were S. dysgalactiae (33%); 150, S. uberis (32%); 112, L. lactis (24%); 16, L. garvieae (3%); and 40, other GPCN (8%). From these, 277 were CM samples and 127 were eligible for the evaluation of SCC resolution, which was defined as SCC ≤200,000 cells/mL in a composite sample 15 to 60 d post-diagnosis. The odds of SCC resolution in CM samples was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression, and the odds were 6.1 [95% confidence interval (CI):2.7-13.9] times higher for S. dysgalactiae or S. uberis compared with L. lactis or L. garvieae. In phase II, a total of 1,662 CM and SCM samples were evaluated with microbiological methods as in phase I, of which 211 samples were confirmed by MALDI-TOF: 39% were S. dysgalactiae (n = 61) and S. uberis (n = 21); 55%, L. lactis (n = 114) and L. garvieae (n = 2); and 6%, other GPCN (n = 13). In total, 168 CM samples were eligible for analysis and 118 were included in the final SCC resolution model. Similar statistical methods as in phase I were performed, and the odds of SCC resolution were 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1-5.5) times higher for S. dysgalactiae or S. uberis compared with L. lactis or L. garvieae. Bacteriological cure was defined as having a different or negative culture on a quarter sample taken 14 to 28 d after initial diagnosis. The odds of bacteriological cure (n = 121) were 8.0 (95% CI: 2.5-25.6) times higher for S. dysgalactiae or S. uberis compared with L. lactis or L. garvieae. Differences in SCC resolution and bacteriological cure between these groups may dictate a different management approach.

Technological properties of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis obtained from dairy and non-dairy niches.

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis strains are often used as starter cultures by the dairy industry due to their production of acetoin and diacetyl, important substances that add buttery flavor notes in dairy products. Twenty-three L. lactis subsp. lactis isolates were obtained from dairy products (milk and cheese) and dairy farms (silage), identified at a biovar level, fingerprinted by rep-PCR and characterized for some technological features. Fifteen isolates presented molecular and phenotypical (diacetyl and citrate) characteristics coherent with L. lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis and rep-PCR allowed the identification of 12 distinct profiles (minimum similarity of 90%). Based on technological features, only two isolates were not able to coagulate skim milk and 10 were able to produce proteases. All isolates were able to acidify skim milk: two isolates, in special, presented high acidifying ability due to their ability in reducing more than two pH units after 24 h. All isolates were also able to grow at different NaCl concentrations (0 to 10%, w/v), and isolates obtained from peanut and grass silages presented the highest NaCl tolerance (10%, w/v). These results indicate that the L. lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis isolates presented interesting technological features for potential application in fermented foods production. Despite presenting promising technological features, the isolates must be assessed according to their safety before being considered as starter cultures.