PROCEDIMIENTO PARA LA DETECCION E IDENTIFICACION SIMULTANEA Y ESPECIFICA DE BACTERIAS LACTICAS Y BIFIDOBACTERIAS EN LECHES FERMENTADAS Y EN CULTIVOS INICIADORES PARA LECHES FERMENTADAS

The invention relates to a method for the specific simultaneous identification and detection of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in fermented milks and starter cultures for fermented milks. The method can be used for the rapid and simultaneous detection and identification of different species of lactic acid bacteria (S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. acidophilus) in mixed cultures with B. lactis, species usually found in yogurt and fermented milks containing probiotics. The method uses specific DNA primers designed from the 16S rRNA gene for lactic acid bacteria and from the gene of the transaldolase for bifidobacteria. The PCR-based specific amplification identification method is complemented by the separation of the amplified products using denaturing gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The method is advantageous in that it can identify all of the mixed cultures present in fermented milks in a single reaction.