Inventors:
Wesley D. Sing - Indianapolis IN
International Classification:
A23C 912
Abstract:
Described are novel donor bacteria harboring a plasmid DNA fragment from a plasmid 30 MDa in molecular weight referred to as pHV67 in L. lactis subsp. lactis TC67, and DNA fragment encoding for a substance which increases viscosity of a milk-containing product. The donor bacteria are capable of conjugally transferring the DNA fragment to a lactic acid bacterium at a frequency of at least about 10. sup. -5 transconjugants per input donor bacterium. Methods involving the preparation and use of bacteria for novel milk fermentations, for example, buttermilk, sour cream and cottage cheese, are also described.