Genotypic and phenotypic diversity among Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus isolated from industrial scale cucumber fermentations.

The Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus genotypes existing in industrial-scale cucumber fermentations were defined using rep-PCR-(GTG)5. The ability of each genotype to ferment cucumbers under various conditions was evaluated. Rep-PCR-(GTG)5 was the technique capable of illustrating the most intraspecies discrimination compared to the sequencing of housekeeping genes (recA, dnaK, pheS and rpoA), MLST and RAPD with primers LP1, OPL5, M14 and COC. Ten genotypic clusters were defined for the 199 L. pentosus tested and three for the 17 L. plantarum clones. The ability of the 216 clones genotyped and 37 additional cucumber fermentation isolates, of the same species, to rapidly decrease the pH of cucumber juice medium under various combinations of sodium chloride (0 or 6%), initial pH (4.0 or 5.2) and temperatures (15 or 30 °C) was determined using a fractional factorial screening design. A reduced fermentation ability was observed for the L. plantarum strains as compared to L. pentosus, except for clone 3.2.8, which had a ropy phenotype and aligned to genotypic cluster A. L. pentosus strains belonging to three genotypic clusters (B, D and J) were more efficient in cucumber juice fermentation as compared to most L. plantarum strains. This research identified three genetically diverse L. pentosus strains and one L. plantarum as candidates for starter cultures for commercial cucumber fermentations.

Characterization of robust Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus starter cultures for environmentally friendly low-salt cucumber fermentations.

Seven candidates for starter cultures for cucumber fermentations belonging to the Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus plantarum species were characterized based on physiological features desired for pickling. The isolates presented variable carbohydrate utilization profile on API® 50CHL test strips. The L. pentosus strains were unable to utilize d-xylose in MRS broth or the M medium. The lactobacilli were unable to produce histamine, tyramine, putrescine, and cadaverine in biogenic amine broth containing the necessary precursors. Production of d-lactic acid by the lactobacilli, detected enzymatically, was stimulated by growth in MRS broth as compared to cucumber juice medium (CJM). The lactobacilli utilized malic acid in the malate decarboxylase medium. Exopolyssacharide biosynthesis related genes were amplified from the lactobacilli. A sugar type-dependent-ropy phenotype was apparent for all the cultures tested in MRS and CJM. The genes associated with bacteriocin production were detected in the lactobacilli, but not the respective phenotypes. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the lactobacilli mimics that of other L. plantarum starter cultures. It is concluded that the lactobacilli strains studied here are suitable starter cultures for cucumber fermentation. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The availability of such starter cultures enables the implementation of low salt cucumber fermentations that can generate products with consistent biochemistry and microbiological profile.

Shelf life stability of lactobacilli encapsulated in raspberry powder: insights into non-dairy probiotics.

AIM: Study the shelf-life quality changes in raspberry juice with encapsulated lactobacilli (Lactobacillus rhamnosus NRRL B-4495 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL B-442) obtained by spray drying and understand the various factors involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: Raspberry powder was obtained from spray drying lactobacilli and raspberry juice with maltodextrin as an additive. Shelf life of the powder was analyzed over a period of 30 d. Acid and bile tolerance and antibiotic resistance was compared before and after spray drying. Water activity, survival, and scanning electron microscope images were also measured during the shelf life. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: A combination of processing conditions: inlet temperature (°C), maltodextrin to juice solids ratio and inlet feed rate (ml/min) during spray drying had a significant role on the survival of lactobacilli during shelf life. Refrigerated storage provided a higher shelf-life stability with regards to CFU/g (as high as 84% on day 0 and 98% retention by the end of 30 d) compared to room temperature storage. Probiotic properties during shelf life are affected by the processing conditions and encapsulated food matrix. Thus, understanding these aspects in vitro during shelf life gives us a brief insight into the future of non-dairy probiotics.