Title Phenotypic and Phylogenetic Analysis of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Forage Crops and Grasses in the Tibetan Plateau
Author Huili Pang1, Zhongfang Tan1, Guangyong Qin1, Yanping Wang1, Zongwei Li1, Qingsheng Jin2, and Yimin Cai3*
Address 1Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Ion Beam Bio-engineering, Zhengzhou University, 450052 Zhengzhou, Henan, P. R. China, 2Institute of Crops and Utilization of Nuclear Technology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 310021 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China, 3Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, 305-8686 Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Bibliography Journal of Microbiology, 50(1),63-71, 2012,
DOI
Key Words forage, epiphytic microflora, lactic acid bacteria, 16S rDNA, recA gene
Abstract A total of 140 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from corn, alfalfa, clover, sainfoin, and Indian goosegrass in the Tibetan Plateau. According to phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S rDNA sequence, and recA gene PCR amplification, these LAB isolates were identified as belonging to five genera and nine species. Corn contained more LAB species than other forage crops. Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus brevis, and Weissella paramesenteroides were dominant members of the LAB population on alfalfa, clover, sainfoin, and Indian goosegrass, respectively. The comprehensive 16S rDNA and recA-based approach effectively described the LAB community structure of the relatively abundant LAB species distributed on different forage crops. This is the first report describing the diversity and natural populations of LAB associated with Tibetan forage crops, and most isolates grow well at or below 10°C. The results will be valuable for the future design of appropriate inoculants for silage fermentation in this very cold area.