acids not only contribute to the taste, aroma and texture of the
product but also lower the product's pH which is one of the key factors
to ensure quality and safety (Owens and Mendoza, 1985; PaludanMüller
et al., 2002a; Visessanguan et al., 2006; Kopermsub and
Yunchalard, 2008). Research to define and develop starter cultures of
LAB for plaa-som production would enable a more controlled process
and give a product with greater consistency in quality and safety. The
establishment of such a starter would need to be developed from an
understanding of the main species of LAB that develop during a
desirable plaa-som fermentation process. This study, therefore, aimed
to determine the predominant species of LAB that grow during
traditional but desirable plaa-som fermentations conducted in the
northeast region of Thailand.