PCR and RAPD identification of L. plantarum strains isolated from ovine milk and cheese. Geographical distribution of strains.

Lactobacilli, and specifically Lactobacillus plantarum, are an important group of microorganisms in ovine cheeses, even though they are not ordinarily included in the starter cultures added. The present study effected counts of lactobacilli in Roncal Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) milk and cheese samples and isolated a total of 1026 strains. The strains were identified to species level by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using L.