Classification of Isolates Originating from Kimchi Using Carbon-source Utilization Patterns

One hundred and eighty two lactic acid bacteria, isolated mainly from kimchi, including reference strains were examined for their ability to utilize 95 carbon sources. The test strains were assigned to 5 major, 1 minor and 12 single-membered clusters based on the <TEX>$S_{SM}$</TEX>, UPGMA algorithm (at similarity of <TEX>$80{\%}$</TEX>). These aggregate clusters were equivalent to the genus Leuconostoc (aggregate cluster M and N), the genus Lactobacillus (aggregate cluster Q and R), and the genera Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc (aggregate cluster O and P) according to the database of the Biolog system. This study demonstrates that rapid identification and classification of isolates originating from kimchi can be achieved on the basis of such carbon source utilization tests.