Publication Details
Abstract
The objective of “this study was to determine the genetic variability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in locally sourced cow's milk. A total of 50 raw milk samples were collected from several local markets in Al-Kut. The specimens were cultured in the De man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium, which is particularly formulated to promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria. The presumed isolates were then identified by the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which selectively targets the 16S rRNA gene, and afterwards followed by DNA sequencing”. The results revealed that lactic acid bacteria were present in 28% (14 isolates) of the samples, including two genera and five species. Specifically, there were 2 strains of Lactococcus lactis and 12 strains of Lactobacillus spp, including 5 Lactobacillus Plantarum, 4 Lactobacillus gasseri, 2 Lactobacillus acidophilus, and 1 Lactobacillus delbrueckii. The predominant Lactic acid Bactria in the present study (Lactobacillus Plantarum) were furtherly tested for their antibacterial activity and the results showed that , Lactobacillus Plantarum exhibited potent antibacterial effects against indicator bacteria like “Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as pathogenic bacteria such as E.coli and Pseudomonas” aeruginosa.
The 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that all the obtained strains exhibited 99% homology with certain LAB strains published in the NCBI. Subsequently, the isolates were recorded in the NCBI.