Identification of LAB and fungi in Laru, a fermentation starter, by PCR-DGGE, SDS-PAGE, and MALDI-TOF MS

Samples of Laru (a fermentation starter) obtained from the upper part of Borneo Island were analyzed for their lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and fungal diversity using both a cultureindependent method (PCR-DGGE) and culture-dependent methods (SDS-PAGE and MALDITOF MS). Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus brevis, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Hyphopichia burtonii, and Kodamaea ohmeri were detected by all three methods. In addition, Weissella cibaria, Weissella paramesenteroides, Leuconostoc citreum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis, Rhizopus oryzae/Amylomyces rouxii, Mucor indicus, and Candida intermedia were detected by PCR-DGGE. In contrast, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pichia anomala, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida orthopsilosis were detected only by the culture-dependent methods. Our results indicate that the culture-independent method can be used to determine whether multiple laru samples originated from the same manufacturing region; however, using the culture-independent and the two culture-dependent approaches in combination provides a more comprehensive overview of the laru microbiota.