Sucuk Samples Research Articles

Production of bacteriocin-like metabolites by lactic acid cultures isolated from sucuk samples

A total of 51 sucuk samples, obtained from different regions of Turkey, were examined for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains producing putative bacteriocin-like metabolites. For detection of antagonistic activity, agar spot and well diffusion assay tests were used. Lactobacillus sake Lb790, Listeria monocytogenes Li6, Staphylococcus aureus St44 and Escherichia coli NRRL B-3704 were used as indicator organisms. Strains having antimicrobial activity were also tested against Clostridium perfringens 4TTK, Clostridium botulinum type A. 7948, Bacillus cereus NRRL B-3711, Micrococcus luteus NRRL B-4376 and Yersinia enterocolitica type 103. 57 of 424 isolates from sucuk samples were putative producers of bacteriocin-like metabolistes and were identified as the following: 19 Lactobacillus plantarum, 4 L. curvatus, 4 Pediococcus pentosaceus, 3 P. acidilactici, 2 L. pentosus, 2 L. sake, 1 L. delbrueckii, 1 L. rhamnosus and 21 unidentified Lactobacillus spp. P. pentosaceus 416, P. acidilactici 413, 419 and 446, L. curvatus 348, L. plantarum 452 and 495, and Lactobacillus spp. 411 strains have the best potential for use as sucuk starter cultures.

Some characteristics of lactic acid bacteria present in commercial sucuk samples

A total of 10 sucuk samples, obtained from Denizli, Turkey were analysed for some physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics. In addition, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains producing bacteriocin-like metabolites were isolated and identified. The production of some typical metabolites of the cultures isolated was investigated. At the end of the research, the average values of the pH, water and fat content were 5.1, and 37.2% and 30.5%, respectively. Microbiological analyses results were determined: average 8.34 log CFU/g TAMB, 8.91 log CFU/g LAB (at the MRS agar) and average 8.25 log CFU/g LAB (at the Elliker's lactic agar). The average counts of yeast-mould, coliform and Enterobacteriaceae were found to be 5.0 log CFU/g, 3.28 log CFU/g and 3.27 log CFU/g, respectively. In this study, counts of yeast-mould in the two samples, coliform counts in the five samples, and Enterobacteriaceae counts in the three samples were < 1.0 log CFU/g. A total of 6 of 100 LAB isolates obtained from the sucuk samples were found as a strain producing bacteriocin-like metabolites. These 6 strains were identified as follows; 3 strains Lactobacillus plantarum and 3 strains Pediococcus pentosaceus. According to the findings, these strains have the potential to be used as a sucuk starter culture. Additionally, acid and flavour compounds, other undesirable metabolite-producing activities of the strains, were determined in the model system. From these results it was concluded, after the determination of the toxicological properties, that the 4 strains of LAB identified ( L. plantarum 13 P. pentosaceus 15 P. pentosaceus 74 and P. pentosaceus 75) would be useful as the starter and protective culture in the processing of the sucuk and similar fermented products.