Identification, technological and safety characterization of Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus curvatus isolated from Argentinean anchovies (Engraulis anchoita)

In this study, the identification and characterization of Lactobacillus previously isolated from fresh anchovies (Engraulis anchoita) are investigated. 16S rDNA partial sequencing assigned all the isolates to belong to the Lactobacillus sakei/curvatus group. Fourteen out of 15 isolates were identified as L. sakei by phenotypic traits: they exhibited catalase activity and fermented melibiose, although only 10 of them hydrolyzed arginine. These results were confirmed by multiplex PCR-based restriction enzyme analysis with HindIII and by restriction fragment length polymorphic (RFLP) analysis of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region with TaqI. Among identified isolates, four L. sakei strains and the sole L. curvatus strain showing sensitivity to chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline and exhibiting high tolerance to NaCl (10-18%) were unable to produce neither dextran nor biogenic amines. Based on technological and safety features, L. sakei SACB(7)04 and L. curvatus SACB03a naturally present in fresh anchovies may be promising strains for the development of a starter culture to accelerate and control the fermentation of salt fermented anchovy-based products.