Numerical taxonomy of psychrotrophic bacteria isolated from raw ewes' milk

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Abstract
Summary: A total of 204 psychrotrophic isolates from raw ewes' milk (hand and machine milked) were identified by conventional methods. In addition, a numerical taxonomic study was conducted on 180 of these isolates and 19 reference strains. Three of the isolates were yeasts. Using identification schemes, 54 isolates were assigned to genera of Gram-negative aerobic rods (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, MoraxellaandPsychrobacter), 48 were Enterobacteriaceae (Entero-bacter, Hafnia, Klebsiella, CitrobacterandSerratia) and one was identified asAeromonas hydrophila. The 98 Gram-positive isolates were identified asEnterococcus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Aureobacterium, KurthiaandMicrobacterium. At the 82% similarity level (SSM), 18 clusters were formed. Cluster I included 34 strainsof Lactococcus, StreptococcusandLeuconostoc. Most of the 35 strains in cluster II wereEnterococcus. Clusters III and IV were identified asKurthiaandMicrobacteriumrespectively. Cluster V was identified asAureobacteriumand cluster VI consisted of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Gram-negative isolates formed 12 clusters:Aeromonas(one cluster), Enterobacteriaceae (two clusters),Flavobacterium(two clusters),PseudomonasandPsychrobacter immobilis(three clusters) andAcinetobacter(four clusters). Non-motile variants ofPs. fragiwere found.Enterococcusand Enterobacteriaceae did not have significant spoilage properties. As expected, Gram-negative aerobic rods were proteolytic and/or lipolytic even at low temperature. Contamination with certain types of psychrotrophs (Gram-negative aerobic rods and enterococci) seemed to be associated with the milking method. The isolate ofAes. hydrophilahad properties associated with virulence.