Since these two Leuconostoc species form an independent phylogenetic branch in
the Leuconostoc sensu strict0 group of Collins et al. (1991), this result was not
unexpected. Although Shaw and Harding (1989) differentiated between Leuconostot
gelidum, Leuconostoc carnosum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides on the basis of CFAs, this division was not apparent in the present study. The results of Collins et al. (1991) which indicated that Leuconostoc paramesenteroides forms an independent Paramesenteroides group with some lactobacilli such as Lactobacilhs confhsus was no confirmed by our CFA data. Leuconostoc paramesenteroides (DSM 20288) appeared closely related to the majority of Leucorwstoc strains, while Lactobacillus confusus (DSM 20196) was more closely related to Leuconostoc lactz3 (DSM 20202) and Leuconostoc citreum (DSM 20188) on the basis of CFA content. Of particular note was the separation of Lactobacillus curvatus strains (DSM 20019,KO875) from the Lactobacilhs sake (DSM 20017) strain in this projection.