IDENTIFICATION OF BACILLUS-LICHENIFORMIS BY COLONY HYBRIDIZATION WITH23S RIBOSOMAL-RNA-TARGETED OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PROBES

A rapid method for the identification of bacteria was developed which can be performed even in a routine laboratory. The sequence of 23S rRN A genes of Bacillus licheniformis was determined and two complementary oligonucleotide probes were synthesized. The specifity of the probes was checked by nonradioactive dot blot and colony hybridization experi ments with Bacillus type strains typically occurring in food and with original isolates from milk and cream. One oligonucleotide probe hybri dized to target nucleic acids from all Bacillus licheniformis strains tested, whereas the second probe was specific for only part of the str ains studied. The probes can be used for the specific and fast detecti on and identification of Bacillus licheniformis.