Applicability of rep-PCR fingerprinting for identification of Lactobacillus species

PCR amplification of repetitive bacterial DNA elements fingerprinting using the (GTG)(5) primer ((GTG)(5)-PCR) was proven to be useful for differentia tion of a wide range of lactobacilli (i.e. 26 different (sub)species) at th e species, subspecies and potentially up to the strain level. Using this ra pid and reproducible genotypic technique, new Lactobacillus isolates recove red from different types of fermented dry sausage could be reliable identif ied at the (sub)species level. In conclusion, (GTG)(5)-PCR was found to be a promising genotypic tool for rapid and reliable speciation and typing of lactobacilli and other lactic acid bacteria important in food-fermentation industries. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Publ ished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.