Profiling of the Lactic Acid Bacteria Communities in Cow Milk based on 16S rRNA

Background: This study aims to identify the types of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in raw cow milk obtained from different locations in Babylon, Iraq using genetic analysis and study the phylogenetic relationship among them. Methods: The study was based on 74 isolates collected from different milk samples. LAB was isolated on selective media from MRS agar after conducting a series of decimal dilutions. LAB was diagnosed depending on the morphological characteristics and nitrogenous base sequences for the 16S rRNA gene, which was 1500 bp. the whole genome was extracted from all isolates. Result: This study identified 74 isolated bacteria as gram-positive lactic acid bacteria (LAB), with most being cocci and the rest bacilli. Six LAB species were identified through genetic analysis (16S rRNA sequencing): Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. kefiri, L. curvatus, Lactococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Pediococcus acidilactici. Phylogenetic analysis revealed relationships between these species and the study highlighted how environmental factors can lead to genetic variations within LAB. The research emphasizes the importance of molecular methods for identifying and understanding the genetic diversity of LAB in food and beverage samples.