PROPOSAL TO RECLASSIFY LEUCONASTOC-OENOS AS OENOCOCCUS-OENI [CORRIG] GEN-NOV, COMB-NOV

Wine strains belonging to the genus Leuconostoc were classified as Leu conostoc oenos by Garvie in 1967, and this name was confirmed on the A pproved Lists of Bacterial Names in 1980. L. oenos is distinguished fr om other Leuconostoc spp. by its growth in acidic media, by its requir ement for a growth factor in tomato juice, and by a number of carbohyd rate fermentation characteristics. In addition, the results of a total soluble cell protein analysis, an electrophoretic analysis of NAB-dep endent D-(-)-lactate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and alcohol dehydrogenase, and an analysis of cross-reactivity with an ti-glucase-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and anti-NAD-dependent D-(-)-lact ate dehydrogenase performed with other Leuconostoc spp. clearly indica ted that L. oenos should be distinguished from the other Leuconostoc s pecies. Phylogenetic studies, in particular 16S and 23S rRNA sequencin g studies, have revealed that L. oenos represents a distinct subline t hat is separate from other Leuconostoc spp. and lactic acid bacteria. In view of the phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness of L. oenos , we propose that this species should be assigned to a new genus as Oe nococcus oeni [corrig.] gen. nov., comb. nov. The type strain of O. oe ni is NCDO 1674 (= ATCC 23179).