Lactococcus
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgrey
| name = Lactococcus
| image = Lactococcus lactis.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Lactococcus lactis
| regnum = Bacteria
| divisio = Firmicutes
| classis = Bacilli
| ordo = Lactobacillales
| familia = Streptococcaceae
| genus = Lactococcus
| genus_authority = Schleifer et al. 1986
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
L. garvieae
L. lactis
L. piscium
L. plantarum
L. raffinolactis
}}
Lactococcus is a lactic acid bacteria genus of five major species formerly included as members of the genus Streptococcus Group N and related species. They are typically spherical or ovoid, 0.5-1.2µm by 0.5-1.5µm, and occur in pairs and short chains. They are non-spore forming and are not motile. The type species for the genus is L. lactis. Lactococcus differ from other lactic acid bacteria as they have pH, salt and temperature tolerances for growth.
Lactococcus is commonly used in the dairy industry in the manufacture of fermented dairy products. They can be used in single strain starter cultures, or in mixed strain cultures with other lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Streptococcus.
References
- Systematic & Applied Microbiology 1985 6 : 183-195, K H Schleifer, J Kraus, C Dvorak, R Kilpper-Balz, M D Collins, W Fischer, Transfer of Streptococcus lactis and related streptococci to the genus Lactococcus gen. nov.
- Lactococcus at Cornell Food Science (doc)Template:Bacteria-stub