Hybridization Between the Deoxyribonucleic Acids of Some Strains of Heterofermentative Lactic Acid Bacteria

The degree of hybridization between the deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) of some different species of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria was estimated. The DNAs from each of 25 strains comprising 12 species were hybridized with labeled DNAs from the type or reference strains of five species. The results suggest a very close relationship between Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc dextranicum, and Leuconostoc cremoris, whereas Leuconostoc oenos was found to be unrelated to other species of the genus. The results also indicate that Lactobacillus confusus and Lactobacillus viridescens are more allied to the leuconostocs than to other lactobacilli.