DNA-PROBE AND PCR-SPECIFIC REACTION FOR LACTOBACILLUS-PLANTARUM

A 300 bp DNA fragment of Lactobacillus plantarum isolated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was cloned and sequenced. Th is fragment was tested using a dot-blot DNA hybridization technique fo r its ability to identify Lact. plantarum strains. This probe hybridiz ed with all Lact. plantarum strains tested and with some strains of La ct. pentosus, albeit more weakly. Two internal primers of this probe w ere selected (LbP11 and LbP12) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out, All Lact. plantarum strains tested amplified a 250 bp fr agment contrary to the other LAB species tested, This specific PCR for Lact. plantarum was also performed from colonies grown on MRS medium with similar results. These methods enabled the rapid and specific det ection and identification of Lact. plantarum.