Molecular Identification and Technological Properties of Acetic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Malatya Apricot and Home-Made Fruit Vinegars

Abstract

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are versatile organisms involved in the production of variety of fermented foods, such as vinegar and kombucha, and products of biotechnological relevance, such as bacterial cellulose. In the present study, Malatya apricot, a variety with protected designation of origin (PDO), and vinegar samples produced using various fruits were used to isolate AAB. The 19 AAB isolates obtained were typed using (GTG)5 fingerprinting, and the ones selected were identified by sequencing either 16S rDNA alone or in combination with 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region or ligA gene. While all apricot isolates (n = 10) were Gluconobacter cerinus, vinegar isolates (n = 9) were composed of Komagataeibacter saccharivorans, Acetobacter syzygii, and possible two new species of AAB, Komagataeibacter sp., and Gluconobacter sp. (GTG)5 fingerprinting showed the presence of several genotypes of G. cerinus in the apricot samples. Screening for some technologically relevant properties, including thermotolerance, ethanol tolerance, and cellulose production capability, showed that all Komagataeibacter and some Gluconobacter isolates could tolerate the temperature of 35℃, and that vinegar isolates could tolerate up to 8% ethanol. One isolate, Komagataeibacter sp. GUS3 produced bacterial cellulose (1 g/l) and has the potential to be used for cellulose production.