APPLICATION OF AN IDENTIFICATION METHOD O F BACTERIA BASED ON THEIR NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCES TO ANALYSIS OF MICROFLORA IN FOOD

An identification method based on the nucleotide sequences of 16S ribo somal RNA (rRNA) gene was applied to the analysis of microflora in a f ood. We isolated bacteria from ''Japanese pickles'', ''smoked salmon'' and ''seasoned pig bowels'', and then analyzed about 300 bases of the 5'-terminal sequences of their rRNA genes. In the 35 sequences which were different each other being referred to a DNA data-base, each sequ ence showed a homology with that of the known species in an extent of 91 to 100%, in an average of 97.9%. In Japanese pickles of ''Hasamizuk e'' which is moderately pickled, lactic acid bacteria were considered to occupy the majority of the microflora. On the other hand, in Japane se pickles of ''Nozawanazuke'', various species of bacteria were inter mixed. In smoked salmon, bacteria belonging to Staphylococcus sp., Aci netobacter sp, and Flabobacterium sp. were detected. In seasoned bowel s, 5 species including 2 species of bacteria inhabiting in animal's bo wels were detected. When lactic acid bacteria were searched in various pickles, species which is closely related to Leuconostoc cremoris or Lactobacillus sake were always isolated.