DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA BY MEANS OF MULTIPLE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (MULTI-PCR) AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF

摘要

The invention relates to a method for the detection and identification, particularly in milk, of traces of destructive bacteriophages of species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lactococcus, Streptococcus and Lactobacillus) which are used in industrial dairy fermentations, using multi-PCR. The multiple PCR amplification is performed with specific primer oligonucleotides of conserved regions of the genome of the aforementioned bacteriophages. Said viruses are the main cause of fermentation failures in the dairy industries, thereby generating significant losses. The inventive method can be used to make decisions, such as assigning contaminated milk to processes that do not involve the use of LAB that are sensitive to the identified phages or to inactivation treatments as well as the disinfection of the production plant. The main advantage of the method is the speed with which it can be performed, together with the specificity, simplicity and sensitivity thereof.