Current Research in Bacteriology1994-54262077-2122Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/crb.2011.16.22AliAsmahan Azhari1201141The present study was conducted to evaluate the technological characteristics of lactic acid bacteria used as lactic acid starter in the manufacturing of fermented dairy products and which are suitable to local conditions. Morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics were employed to identify Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), isolated from drinking yoghurt in different areas in Khartoum state, Sudan. The purification of isolates was done by transferring Gram +ve rods and cocci shaped bacteria to the plates of selective media MRS and M-17, respectively. These isolates were further sub cultured until pure isolates were obtained. From 18 drinking yoghurt samples a total of 303 LAB positives were determined, in which 47 (17.38%) and 256 (82.62%) were identified as lactic acid cocci and lactic acid bacilli, respectively. Additionally, our biochemical tests showed the occurrence of 22 (44.44%) Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris and 25 (55.56%) Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris among lactic acid cocci. While, in the case of lactic acid bacilli, Lactobacillus helveticus 35 (15.3%); Lactobacillus plantarum 74 (22.3%); Lactobacillus brevis 17 (21%); Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei 36 (15.5%) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus 94 (25.9%) was found. Among lactic acid cocci and bacilli, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus were found to be the more dominant species, respectively. The current study constitutes the first step in the designing process of LAB starter cultures, in order to protect the typical organoleptic characteristics of traditional drinking yoghurt. However, in the future we can consider genetical characterization and selection of the most desirable strains and assess their potential as starter cultures for commercial use.]]>Accolas, J.P. and J. Auclair,197750609626Ammor, S., C. Rachman, S. Chaillou, H. Prevost and X. Dousset et al.,200522373382Beukes, E.M., B.H. Bester and J.F. Mostert,200163189197Bottazzi, V.,198870303315Server-Busson, C., C. Foucaud and J.Y. Leveau,1999Leuconostoc isolates for important technological properties.]]>66245256Collins, M.D., B.A. Phillips and P. Zanoni,1989Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei sp. nov., subsp. paracasei and subsp. Tolerans and Lactobacillus rhamnosus sp. nov., comb. nov.]]>39105108Guessas, B. and M. Kihal,20043339342Harrigan, W.F. and M.E. MaCance,1976Revised Edn.,pp: 33-200pp: 33-200Hemme, D. and C. Foucaud-Scheunemann,2004Leuconostoc, characteristics, use in dairy technology and prospects in functional foods.]]>14467494Herrero, M., B. Mayo, B. Gonzalez and J.E. Suarez,199682565570Holt, J.G.,19949th Edn.,Pages: 787Pages: 787Kalavrouzioti, I., M. Hatzikamari, E. Litopoulou-Tzanetaki and N. Tzanetakis,2005583038Lee, B.,19961996pp: 219-290pp: 219-290Leisner, J.J., B. Pot, H. Christensen, G. Rusul and J.O. Olsen et al.,1999Chilli Bo, a Malaysian food ingredient.]]>65599605Leisner, J.J., M. Vancanneyt, G. Rusul, B. Pot, K. Lefebvre, A. Fresi and L.K. Tee,200163149157Linkater, P.M. and C.J. Griffin,197138127136Lipinsky, E.S.,1981Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris in skim milk.]]>21214651471Mathara, J.M., U. Schillinger, P.M. Kutima, S.K. Mbugua and W.H. Holzapfel,2004kule naoto: The Maasai traditional fermented milk in Kenya.]]>94267278Mayeux, J.V., W.W.E. Sandine and P.R. Elliker,1962Leuconostoc organisms in mixed strain starter cultures.]]>45655656Muyanja, C.M.B.K., J.A. Narvhus, J. Treimo and T. Langsrud,2003Bushera: A Ugandan traditional fermented beverage.]]>80201210Olarte, C., S. Sanz, E. Gonzalez- Fandos and P. Torre,200088421429Samelis, J., F. Maurogenakis and J. Metaxopoulos,199423179196Sharpe, M.E.,19791979pp: 233-259pp: 233-259Stiles, M.E. and W.H. Holzapfel, 199736129Terzic-Vidojevic, A., M. Vukasinovic, K. Veljovic, M. Ostojic and L. Topisirovic,20071143642Teuber, M. and A. Geis,19811981pp: 1614-1630pp: 1614-1630Thapa, T.,2000Togo, C.A., S.B. Feresu and A.N. Mutukumira,200279397Tserovska, L., S. Stefanova and T. Yordanova,200234852Ward, L.J.H., G.P. Davey, H.A. Heap and W.J. Kelly,20022002pp: 1511-1516pp: 1511-1516Badis, A., D. Guetarni, B. Moussa-Boudjema, D.E. Henni and M. Kihal,200421579588Badis, A., D. Guetarni, B. Moussa-Boudjema, D.E. Henni, M.E. Tornadijo and M. Kihal,200421343349