Leuconostoc Mesenteroides
- Heterotroph
- Produce Dextran from sucrose
- requires organic substances to get carbon to develop and grow.
- has no common name
Ferments food:
cottage cheese
sauerkraut
sausage
yogurt
cheese
buttermilk
soy sauce
any pickled/canned foods
Leuconostoc mesenteroides initiates the desirable lactic acid fermentation in certain products listed before. It differs from other lactic acid species because it can tolerate fairly high concentrations of salt and sugar (up to 50% sugar). It initiates growth in vegetables more rapidly over a range of temperatures and salt concentrations than any other lactic acid bacteria. It produces carbon dioxide and acids which rapidly lower the pH and inhibit the development of undesirable micro-organisms. The carbon dioxide produced replaces the oxygen, making the environment anaerobic and suitable for the growth of later species of lactobacillus. Removal of oxygen also helps to preserve the color of vegetables and stabilises any ascorbic acid that's present.
If this bacteria didnt exist, we wouldn't have some of the varity of foods that we do. We would have to find a different way to ferment certain foods or we just wouldn't be able to make them at all.
Interview: Lakeview Medical Labratory
Q. Can Leuconostoc Mesenteroides cause infections in people?
A. Yes, it is possible to cause an infection in people. It's very uncommon for it to do so. The only types of people to get an infection from it would be immune compromise. They would get it from being on a feeding tube instead of being able to eat regulary. You would find the infection in the blood stream or cathader which deals with the uninary system. This bacteria is still very uncommon to give infections.
By: Aleah Etlicher, Liz Boesl, Alecia Shaw
Sources:
- http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0560e/x0560e10.htm
- http://fhs-bio-wiki.pbworks.com/w/page/12145772/Fermentation