This study revealed an abundant and varied micro flora in turbid rice wine. Upon addition of the starter culture, the bacterial population increased in size in the base of fermentation, and was subsequently maintained. Analyses of bacterial isolates indicated that most were non-pathogenic autochthonous strains present in the environment, or were those added as part of the starter culture. such as Lactobacillus sp., S. cerevisiae, Aspergillus sp. Penicillium sp and Acetobacter aceti (data are not shown)