PROPOSAL OF SPOROLACTOBACILLUS-NAKAYAMAE SUBSP NAKAYAMAE SP-NOV, SUBSP-NOV, SPOROLACTOBACILLUS-NAKAYAMAE SUBSP RACEMICUS SUBSP-NOV, SPOROLACTOBACILLUS-TERRAE SP-NOV, SPOROLACTOBACILLUS-KOFUENSIS SP-NOV, AND SPOROLACTOBACILLUS-LACTOSUS SP-NOV

Catalase-negative spore-forming lactic acid bacteria were isolated fro m soil samples and fermentation starters for Asian traditional alcohol ic beverages, The isolates were characterized by determining morpholog ical, biochemical, physiological, and chemotaxonomic properties and we re found to be members of the genus Sporolactobacillus. Twelve isolate s and some authentic strains belonging to this genus were used in DNA base composition and DNA relatedness studies, and the results revealed that the strains tested could be divided into six groups which correl ated with the phenotypic characteristics. One of the groups correspond ed to the previously described species Sporolactobacillus inulinus. In addition, we propose the following four new species and two new subsp ecies for the remaining five groups: Sporolactobacillus nakayamae subs p, nakayamae sp, nov., subsp, nov, (type strain, M-114 [= JCM 3514]), Sporolactobacillus nakayamae subsp, racemicus subsp, nov. (type strain , M-17 [= JCM 3417]), Sporolactobacillus terrae sp, nov, (type strain, M-116 [= JCM 3516]), Sporolactobacillus kofuensis sp. nov. (type stra in, M-19 [= JCM 3419]), and Sporolactobacillus lactosus sp, nov, (type strain, X1-1 [= JCM 9690]).