Transformation of Dairy Leuconostoc Using Plasmid Vectors from Bacillis, Escherichia, and Lactococcus Hosts

Abstract

Conditions that allow efficient genetic transformation of dairy Leuconostoc by electroporation were determined. The technique allowed transformation of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris, Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. dextranicum, and Leuconostoc lactis with plasmid pNZ12. Optimized conditions resulted in transformation efficiencies of up to 2 × 106/μg of pNZ12 DNA for L. cremoris 44-4. Further, cloning vectors pNZ18, pGK12, pGK13, pGL3, pBD64, pGB301, pDB101, and pAMβ1 from lactococcal, Bacillus, and Escherichia hosts were introduced and maintained by L. cremoris 44-4, extending the range of vectors functional in Leuconostoc. © 1991, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.