Strains of Lactobacillus plantarum in Grape Must are also Present in the Intestinal Tract of Vinegar Flies

Abstract

Twenty-one lactic acid bacteria isolated from the intestinal tract of Drosophila simulans Stuvervant and nine from Merlot noir grapes were identified as L. plantarum by PCR with species-specific primers and 16S rDNA sequen- cing. The 30 isolates grouped into four clusters based on RAPD-PCR banding patterns, suggesting that they belong to at least four genotypic groups. Thirteen isolates from grape must and five from the flies yielded identical RAPD- PCR banding patterns and grouped into one cluster, suggesting that they are descendants from the same strain. Concluded from these results, L. plantarum (or at least descendants from a specific strain) has the ability to use vinegar flies as a host and vector to infect grape must. Further research is needed to determine the role of this spe- cific strain in wine fermentations. INTRODUCTION