A numerical taxonomic study of the Pseudomonas flora isolated from poultrymeat

Pseudomonas strains were isolated from both fresh and cold-stored broiler s kin. Phenotypically-based numerical taxonomic techniques were used to chara cterize the isolates and 36 reference strains. For this purpose, Biolog GN Microplates, API 20NE and a number of other biochemical tests were used. Ja ccard clustering revealed the predominance of four major Pseudomonas groups : Ps. fungi, Ps, lundensis, strains belonging to Ps. fluorescens biovars an d an unidentified group of strains displaying a high degree of similarity t o Ps. fluorescens biovars, Within Ps. fluorescens, biovar A was best repres ented. The marked proteolytic character of members of Ps. fluorescens biova rs A, B and C, as well as of members of the unidentified cluster, supports their possible role in the origin of organoleptic defects, In the Ps. lunde nsis cluster, a distinct group of Ps. lundensis-like species was found. Fur ther genotypic studies should be carried out to clarify the taxonomic statu s of the Ps. lundensis-like strains and that of the unidentified group rese mbling Ps. florescens biovars A and B.