Lactobacillus cypricasei sp nov., isolated from Halloumi cheese

Four strains of a hitherto unknown bacterium isolated from Halloumi cheese were compared by using phenotypic and phylogenetic studies. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the strains were identical to each other and represent a new subline within the genus Lactobacillus. The unkno wn bacterium was readily distinguished from other described Grampositive ca talase-negative taxa by means of biochemical tests and electrophoretic anal ysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic ev idence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Lactobac illus cypricasei sp. nov. The type strain of L. cypricasei is CCUG 42961(T) (= CIP 106393(T)).