Leuconostoc

Leuconostoc

(lū'kō-nos'tok),

A genus of microaerophilic to facultatively anaerobic bacteria (family Lactobacillaceae) containing gram-positive, spheric cells that may, under certain conditions, lengthen and become pointed and even form rods. Lactic and acetic acids are produced by these organisms. They are found in plant juices and in milk. The type species is Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

[G. leukos, white, + nostoc, a genus of algae (a word coined by Paracelsus)]

Leuconostoc

/Leu·co·nos·toc/ (loo″ko-nos´tok) a genus of slime-forming saprophytic bacteria (tribe Streptococcaceae) found in milk and fruit juices, including L. citro´vorum, L. dextran´icum, and L. mesenteroi´des.

Leuconostoc

a genus of gram-positive, nonpathogenic, facultatively anaerobic bacteria spherical to lenticular in shape. They are of food hygiene importance because they cause slime on high sugar foods, cause taints and are salt-tolerant.

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Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum, subsp. mesenteroides

produce dextran which is the major component of the slime on foods.