The Stability of Lactobacillus Strains

Summary: Reported changes of pure strains of Lactobacillus from the hetero-fermentative to the homofermentative type, with concomitant changes in many characters of recognized taxonomic importance, were investigated. No evidence was obtained that such gross variations occur. Inadequate initial purification and subsequent contamination between strains of different physiological types, were found to produce effects which could be mistaken for such changes.