Microbial diversity and dynamics of Spanish-style green table-olive fermentations in large manufacturing companies through culture-dependent techniques

Abstract

We have studied the microbiota associated to Spanish-style green olive fermentations, attending to its dynamics along the time. Twenty 10-tonne fermenters were selected from two large table-olive manufacturing companies in southern Spain. While culture-dependent methodology was used to isolate the microorganisms, molecular methods were used to identify the isolates. A total of 1070 isolates were obtained, resulting in 929 bacterial and 141 yeast isolates. Thirty seven different bacterial species were isolated, belonging to 18 different genera, while 12 yeast species were isolated, belonging to 7 distinct genera. This fermentation was dominated by the species Lactobacillus pentosus, while its accessory microbiota was variable and depended on the fermentation stage and the actual fermentation yard ("patio"). It was noticeable the abundance of lactic acid bacteria isolates, belonging to 16 different species. Twenty bacterial species were isolated for the first time from Spanish-style green olive fermentations, while 17 had not been described before in any table olive preparation. The genera Brachybacterium, Paenibacillus, Sporolactobacillus, Paracoccus and Yersinia had not been cited before from any table olive preparation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida thaimueangensis appeared to dominate the yeast microbiota. Candida butyri/asseri and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa had not been described before from Spanish-style preparations, while Saturnispora mendoncae was isolated for the first time from any table olive preparation. Biodiversity was analysed through different alpha and beta indexes which showed the evolution of the microbiota over time.

Keywords: Biodiversity; Lactic acid bacteria; Lactobacillus pentosus; Microbiota; Olive fermentation; Yeast.