The ability of CNS to colonize cured and
fermented meats has been well described
(Leroy et al. 2006 ). Thus, these organisms,
which are present in the adventitious microbiota of meat or are added as starter cultures
to the batter, become a dominant population
during fermentation. Physiological properties, such as the ability to grow at low temperatures and low water activity, contribute
to the competiveness. Information derived
from the S. carnous genome provides a scientific basis for adaptation to low water
activity environments, such as cured and fermented meat. Nine pathways involved in
osmoprotection, which contribute to the
accumulation of biocompatible solutes in the
cytoplasm, are present in S. carnous TM300.
These include four proline transport systems;
three glycine betaine transporters; one multicomponent transporter for choline, glycine
betaine, and carnitine; and one system for the
choline uptake (Rosenstein et al. 2009 ).