Characterization of Different Isolates of Obesumbacterium proteus Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA. Louise Savard, John N. G. Hutchinson, and Terrance M. Dowhanick, Labatt Breweries of Canada, Brewing Research Department, 150 Simcoe Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4M3. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 52:0062, 1994.

A polymerase chain reaction using arbitrary primers (AP-PCR) is described for the characterization of Obesumbacterium proteus isolates. The method employs a single oligonucleotide that has been randomly designed to prime DNA synthesis from genomic sites. The DNA amplification products generated provide fingerprints that tend to be unique to individual organisms. Twelve strains of O. proteus belonging to biotypes I and II were characterized using several arbitrary primers. Both biotypes could be distinguished according to the amplified DNA patterns by agarose gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, it was possible to differentiate biotype II strains isolated from different breweries by their specific banding patterns. The results were in agreement with other reports showing biochemical differences among O. proteus isolates. DNA fingerprinting generated by the random amplified polymorphic DNA assay has potential applications in the differentiation and/or identification of brewery microflora.

Keywords: Beer spoilage microorganisms, DNA fingerprinting, Obesumbacterium, PCR, RAPD