Mutation and selection of Lactobacillus plantarum strains that do not produce carbon dioxide from malate

Abstract

A differential medium was developed to distinguish between malate-decarboxylating (MDC+) and -non-decarboxylating (MDC-) strains of Lactobacillus plantarum. MDC- strains produced a visible acid reaction in the medium, whereas MDC+ strains did not. Use of the medium allowed for rapid screening and isolation of mutagenized cells that had lost the ability to produce CO2 from malate.