Application of the hypervariable region of the 16S rDNA sequence as an index for the rapid identification of species in the genus Alicyclobacillus.

A comparison of the 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences of seven type strains belonging to different Alicyclobacillus species (i.e., five validated species, one proposed species and one genomic species) suggested that the 5' end hypervariable region (259-273 bases in length) of 16S rDNA was specific for the respective type strains.