Development of a DNA array for the simultaneous detection and identification of sugar thick juice bacterial contaminants

摘要

Despite the use of generally accepted goodstorage practices, sugar thick juice degradation caused bymicrobiological contamination occasionally occurs, causingconsiderable financial loss. In this study, a DNA array wasdeveloped for simultaneous detection and identification ofthe most prominent microflora present during thick juicestorage, which may cause degradation of the thick juice.Specific oligonucleotides were developed for severalbacterial taxa, including the genera Bacillus, Kocuria,Staphylococcus and Tetragenococcus and the speciesAerococcus viridans, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Tetragenococcushalophilus. The DNA array was validatedusing both pure cultures and industrial samples. In addition,comparisons were made between the developed array, PCRassays specifically targeting the thick juice contaminantsand classical microbial platings. The array was found to bereliable and sensitive enough to detect and identify thetarget bacteria. In addition, the array was used to monitorthe target microbial populations in thick juice during longtermstorage and degradation. Results are discussed inrelation to DNA stability in thick juice.