Fructilactobacillus fructivorans
Fructilactobacillus fructivorans is a gram-positive bacteria and a member of the genus "Fructilactobacillus" in the family Lactobacillaceae. It is found in wine, beer, grape must, dairy, sauerkraut, meat, and fish. They are facultative anaerobics and experience best growth in environments with 5-10% CO. Temperature for growth is between 2 °C and 53 °C, with the optimum temperature between 30 °C and 40 °C and a pH level between 5.5 and 6.2. The bacterium is rod shaped and can be found in the following forms: single, pairs, chains of varying lengths, or long  curved filaments. Lactobacillus fructivorans is non-motile. The main end product of the metabolic process is lactate, although ethanol, acetate, formate, CO, and succinate may also be produced. Food production. The bacteria have several metabolic properties that allow them to function as starter cultures in the production of fermented dairy, meat, and vegetable products and beverages. "F. fructivorans" is mainly produces lactic acid. Once the microbe metabolizes sugars into lactic acids, the foods and beverages develop the sour taste that is characteristic of fermented foods and beverages. While there are several types of lactobacilli that are able to convert sugars  into lactic acid and CO, most are unable to survive alcoholic fermentation and will die off in this type of environment. "F. fructivorans" is one of the few species that successfully survives alcoholic fermentation and continues to grow and engage in cell multiplication afterwards. It therefore plays an important role in the production of fermented beverages such as wine, beer, sake and cider, yogurt, cheese, kimchi, pickled vegetables, sourdough bread and sauerkraut. In addition, the microbe is often found in meat and fish products and is responsible for spoilage of canned fruit. References. Dicks, L. M. T., and A. Endo . 2009. “Taxonomic Status of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Wine and Key Characteristics to Differentiate Species.” S. Afr. J. Enol. Vitic. Vol. 30. No. 1 Nam, S.-H., S.-H. Choi, A. Kang, K. S. Lee, D.-W. Kim, R. N. Kim, D.-S. Kim, and H.-S. Park. "Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus Fructivorans KCTC 3543." Journal of Bacteriology 194.8 (2012): 2111-112. Web.