Mutation and Selection of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> 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 CO(2) from malate.