Use of recA gene sequence analysis for the identification of Staphylococcus equorum strains predominant on dry-cured hams

Spanish dry-cured ham is an uncooked meat product highly appreciated due to its characteristics flavour. In this study, we examined the accuracy of biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequencing in the identification of 56 staphylococcal strains isolated during industrial Spanish dry-cured ham processes. Important differences were observed comparing genotypic and phenotypic data. Staphylococcus xylosus was the prevalent species identified by biochemical methods (87.5%), however, sequencing of the 16S rDNA resulted in an unambiguous identification of Staphylococcus equorum (73.2%) and Staphylococcus vitulinus (8.9%) strains. Reliable identification of meat staphylococci, mainly among S. xylosus and S. equorum strains could be also achieved by means of recA gene sequence comparison. Two degenerate primers previously described for lactic acid bacteria were used to amplify an internal fragment of the recA gene. This fragment was amplified from twelve staphylococcal type strains representing frequent meat species. The results indicated that recA sequencing is an adequate method to discriminate among meat staphylococci. In addition, S. xylosus and S. equorum strains could be more accurately discriminated by recA sequencing than 16S rDNA or sodA sequencing. The S. equorum sequence diversity showed at the intra-species level by recA gene sequencing confirmed the high heterogeneity described among S. equorum strains. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Landeta, Gerardo, Reverón, Inés, Carrascosa, Alfonso V., Rivas, Blanca de las, Muñoz, Rosario
Other Authors: CSIC - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)
Format: artículo biblioteca
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2011-09
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/50189
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100007652
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007273
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003141
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100012818
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!