Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Bosnian artisanal dry fermented sausage sudzuk) during fermentation

Bosnian sudzuk is a dry fermented sausage produced in a rural household near the town of Visoko in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. This kind of sausage was manufactured only from beef and spices in a traditional way without the addition of a starter cultures. To identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB), a total number of 160 LAB strains were isolated from five samples of Bosnian sudzuk collected over 28 days of fermentation. Preliminary identification by phenotypic tests and 16S rDNA sequencing were performed for all 160 of the LAB isolates. Identification of LAB strains from traditionally produced Bosnian sausage at the species level revealed the presence of six genera: Lactococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Leuconostoc sp., Lactobacillus sp., Pediococcus sp. and Weissella sp.. Among the 15 distinct species identified, the species Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus durans were present throughout the entire process of fermentation. Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis prevailed, with 21.8%, 19.3% and 13.1%, respectively, of total LAB strains during the entire fermentation process. Significant negative correlations (r = 0.892 and r = 0.829, respectively) between the presence of Weissella sp. and Lactobacillus sp., and between the presence of Weissella sp. and Lactococcus sp. were recorded. Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus durans and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were the best producers of aromogenic compounds while 32.3% of Lactobacillus plantarum and 28.6% of Leuconostoc mesenteroides were produced exopolysaccharides

Seasonal Dynamic and Vertical Distribution of Microorganisms and Nutrients in Soils of Mostar Pit (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The aim of this paper is to determined dynamics and vertical distribution of nutrients and microbial communities in calcocambisol and terra rossa in natural lawns in Mostar district (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The main research was focused on total number of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, free-living nitrogen fixers, ammonifiers and Azotobacter sp., as well as on the chemical properties of soils. Microbiological and chemical properties of soils were determined during the 2011 in different depths using the standard methodology. Chemical analyses of the examinated soil showed the acid pH value, poor to moderate humus content, as well as total N and available P and K. Results of research confirm the strong influence of season of sampling, soils depth and their interaction on microbial activity. Number of microorganisms was controlled by pH value, humus and total nitrogen content, soil moisture and temperature. In both soil types, total bacterial number was the highest in spring, while number of fungi and actinomycetes was the highest in autumn. Azotobacter sp. was only detected in surface layer of soils. These results confirm that understanding of microbial, physical and chemical properties of soil and their interaction, which can be controlled by human activities, is necessary for improvement of soil fertility

Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Bosnian artisanal dry fermented sausage (sudzuk) during fermentation

Bosnian sudzuk is a dry fermented sausage produced in a rural household near the town of Visoko in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. This kind of sausage was manufactured only from beef and spices in a traditional way without the addition of a starter cultures. To identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB), a total number of 160 LAB strains were isolated from five samples of Bosnian sudzuk collected over 28 days of fermentation. Preliminary identification by phenotypic tests and 16S rDNA sequencing were performed for all 160 of the LAB isolates. Identification of LAB strains from traditionally produced Bosnian sausage at the species level revealed the presence of six genera: Lactococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Leuconostoc sp., Lactobacillus sp., Pediococcus sp. and Weissella sp.. Among the 15 distinct species identified, the species Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus durans were present throughout the entire process of fermentation. Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis prevailed, with 21.8%, 19.3% and 13.1%, respectively, of total LAB strains during the entire fermentation process. Significant negative correlations (r = 0.892 and r = 0.829, respectively) between the presence of Weissella sp. and Lactobacillus sp., and between the presence of Weissella sp. and Lactococcus sp. were recorded. Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus durans and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were the best producers of aromogenic compounds while 32.3% of Lactobacillus plantarum and 28.6% of Leuconostoc mesenteroides were produced exopolysaccharides