Abstract

We recently identified Leuconostoc gelidum, a typical psychrophile, as a microbial component from kimchi that has been laboratory-prepared and fermented at 20 C. However, it has been shown that the growth of leuconostocs in food products is highly influenced by fermenting temperature. To determine the distribution of L. gelidum species in kimchi fermented at a lower temperature, 8 C, we characterized a total of 64 dextran-forming strains isolated from kimchi using a polyphasic method including 16S rDNA sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization. We found that 80% of the isolates were L. gelidum, which has been found mainly at chill-stored meat products. We also found that L. gelidum could be a dominant Leuconostoc species in so-called Kimjang kimchi, which is traditionally prepared at late fall to be preserved during winter in Korea. These results suggest that L. gelidum can be a predominant species in kimchi especially when fermented at low temperature.

• Keywords: Leuconostoc gelidum; lactic acid bacteria; kimchi