Isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria from Brazilian Minas artisanal cheese

The microbiota of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Minas artisanal cheese was evaluated. Samples of Minas artisanal cheese were collected at the farms in the region of Araxá, Brazil, over two seasons. Molecular approaches were used to assess the biodiversity of the isolates. The median value of the counts of LAB ranged from 6.4 to 9.5 log units in cheeses throughout the ripening period, in both seasons. The genera of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, and Lactococcus were found. L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus were the prevailing species during both seasons, suggesting they may play a role in the development of the cheese attributes. Enterococcus rivorum was identified in one sample and it was probably the first description in cheeses. This is an important report describing the varieties of LAB in this cheese and the identification of its lactic communities could be a source of strains with specific properties.