Polyphasic taxonomic characterization of Lactobacillus rossiae isolates from Belgian and Italian sourdoughs reveals intraspecific heterogeneity.

Abstract (GTG) 5 -PCR fingerprinting and pheS sequence analysis of 18 Lactobacillus rossiae isolates, mainly originating from Belgian and Italian artisan sourdoughs, revealed intraspecies grouping as evidenced by the delineation of three and two subgroups, respectively. On the other hand, 16S rRNA and rpoA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA hybridizations supported the accommodation of all isolates in a single species. No correlation between genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity was observed. Collectively, these data do not warrant taxonomic division of L. rossiae . On the other hand, the considerable differences in intraspecies sequence variation of L. rossiae isolates displayed by the pheS…