Isolation and Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Traditional Pot Cheese

Pot cheese is a traditional cheese that is preferred for its characteristic aroma and flavor. This type of cheese is made without added starter cultures; the native lactic flora contribute to the ripening and development of the typical aroma and flavor of this cheese. It is essential to identify the type of lactic acid bacteria involved in the ripening process. In this study, pot cheese was made traditionally and then ripened in underground stroage for three months. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated and identified in the ripened cheese. Identification of isolates at the species level was performed using phenotypic and 16s rDNA methods. Overall, 51 strains were isolated; the dominant genera were Lactobacilli (37.3%) and Enterococci (25.5%). Other species belonged to Lactococci (19.6%), Leuconostoc (9.8%) and Pediococci (7.8%). At the end of the ripening period, Lactobacilli dominated and the changes were significant. Enterococci and Lactococci showed significant changes during ripening, but significant changes were not found for Pediococci and Leuconostoc. The dominant isolated species was Enterococcus faecium (8 isolates), Lactococcuslactis ssp. lactis (7 isolates), Lactobacilluscasei ssp. casei (4 isolates) and Pediococcusacidilactici (4 isolates). These species are recommended for use as starter cultures in the manufacture of pot cheese or a new type of cheese with similar flavor.