Leuconostoc mesenteroides
Leuconostoc mesenteroides: A Versatile Bacterium with Diverse Roles
Description:
Leuconostoc mesenteroides is a Gram-positive, catalase-negative, lactic acid bacterium that is widely distributed in the environment. It is commonly found in fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir.
Leuconostoc mesenteroides is a rod-shaped bacterium that grows in chains. It is non-motile and non-spore-forming. The bacterium ferments various sugars, including glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The fermentation products include lactic acid, ethanol, and carbon dioxide.
Associated Diseases:
Leuconostoc mesenteroides is generally considered a harmless bacterium. However, it has been associated with rare cases of infections, including endocarditis, meningitis, and sepsis.
Did you Know ?
Leuconostoc mesenteroides is the most common bacteria responsible for the production of dextrans, a type of polysaccharide that is used as a thickener in the food industry.
