Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

ISSN 2736-1756

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Characterization of Enterococci isolated from Moroccan dairy products

Naoual Jamaly1,2, Abdelaziz Benjouad2, Roberta Comunian3, Elisabetta Daga3 and Mohammed Bouksaim1*

1Laboratory of Food Technology and quality, Safety/food quality/environment, CRRA, INRA, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 RP, Rabat, Morocco.

2Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Sciences, Agdal, University of Mohammed V, 4 Avenue IbnBattouta, BP 1014 RP, Rabat, Morocco.

3Dipartimento per la Ricerca nelle Produzioni Animali, AGRIS Sardegna. Loc. Bonassai km 18.600, I-07040 OLMEDO (SS), Italy.

Accepted 19 July, 2017

Abstract

Twenty three Enterococcus durans isolates collected from Moroccan dairy products were identified by species-specific PCR and their technologically relevant biochemical properties were studied. According to biochemical activities, the majority of the strains displayed weak acidification and autolysis activities in milk. In contrast, they showed high extracellular proteolytic activity. All isolates produced exopolysaccharides and most of them could metabolize citrate and tolerate a high concentration of nisin. Absence of vancomycin resistance and haemolytic activity may suggest the use of these isolates as adjunct starters in food fermentations process.

Key words: Enterococcus durans, Moroccan dairy products, species-specific PCR (Polymerase chain reaction), biochemical properties, adjunct starter cultures.