Lactobacillus animalis sp. nov., a new species of lactobacillus from the alimentary canal of animals

Abstract

Eight strains of homofermentative lactobacilli from the dental plaque of primates had similar and unusual SDS-gel electrophoresis patterns of polypeptides. Two other strains from the intestines of non-primates were also recognised by their polypeptide patterns. The physiological reactions of these strains resembled Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. ruminis. The peptidoglycan type was L-Lys-D-Asp, but the DNA contained 41.3–44.4 mol% G + C and the acid formed was L (+) lactate. A new species, Lactobacillus animalis, is proposed for these strains.