Lactobacillus hilgardiiRANK: SpeciesTAXONOMY: Terrabacteria group -> Firmicutes -> Bacilli -> Lactobacillales -> Lactobacillaceae -> Lactobacillus -> Lactobacillus hilgardii OVERVIEW: Lactobacillus hilgardii (also known as Lacobacillus vermiforme) is a species of bacterium found in wine, dairy products, and wine musts. Its morphology is consistent (on a cellular level) of rods that are 0.5–0.8 micrometres of both single short chains and long filament like structures. On a colony level, the bacteria appears glossy, round and white. For study, the bacteria requires malt agar and can ferment maltose, but often also requires yeast extract in order to ferment properly. To study L. hilgardii in liquid requires growing it in Elliker broth so it can show turbidity and gas formation. Grams strain of the bacteria are positive. L. hilgardii is considered a negative catalase (enzyme that decomposes hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water) and creates lactic acid, ethanol/acetic acid, and carbon dioxide. Along with this it is capable of sometimes producing biogenic amines or histamine and ethyl carbamate, which causes health risks. Identified as constituent of vaginal microbiome. [PMID:23282177] |