Immunochemical demonstration of lipoteichoic acid as a surface‐exposed plasma membrane antigen of slime‐forming, encapsulated Streptococcus cremoris from the fermented milk product ‘viili’

Abstract

Abstract The lipoteichoic acid (LTA) isolated from Streptococcus cremoris T5, a representative strain from the fermented milk product ‘viili’, is shown by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) to appear mainly in acylated form. Isolated plasma membranes contain two LTA antigens, as revealed by co‐CIE with isolated LTA. It is concluded from immunoadsorption experiments with washed intact cells that LTA from the membrane structure is also detectable on the surface of intact cells. The significance of these findings for the quality of thick or slimy fermented milk products is discussed. Copyright © 1985, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved