the ITS-PCR groups of bacteria to genus and species level (Table 1).
The predominant group of LAB isolates (64%) found in all cassava
samples investigated were classified as ITS Group A and identified
by API as L. plantarum except for one isolate, T, which was identified
as L. paracasei (Table 1, Fig. 1a). These isolates were clearly identified
as L. plantarum (99% similarity to GenBank sequences) by pheS
gene sequencing, as their 16S rRNA gene sequences could not
differentiate between L. plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus. Isolates
in this group were further discriminated into 3 genotypes
based on their rep-PCR profiles (Fig. 2a), revealing intraspecies
diversity amongst the isolates. Out of 26 isolates, 24 displayed the
same rep-PCR fingerprint, indicating this was the dominant genotype
of L. plantarum in the samples investigated. The single isolate
in ITS Group B (2%) was identified as L. paracasei (97% similarity) by
16S rRNA gene sequencing as well as API. For Group C (5%), the two
isolates were identified as Enterococcus casseliflavus (99% similarity)
by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The identity of the isolates in
group D (8%) was revealed as Ent. faecium (98%) by pheS gene
sequencing as their 16S rRNA gene sequences could not differentiate
between Ent. faecium and Enterococcus durans. Similarly, isolates
in Group E (8%) were identified asW. confusa/Weissella cibaria/
Weissella salipscis (98% similarity) based on their 16S rRNA gene
sequences but were clearly identified asW. confusa (99% similarity)
by pheS gene sequencing. Two genotypes, based on rep-PCR band
patterns were also observed for this group (Fig. 2a). Group F (2%)
included one isolate and was identified as W. paramesenteroides
(100% similarity) by both 16S rRNA and pheS gene sequencing. The
two isolates in group G (5%) were identified as Leuc. mesenteroides
(100% similarity) by rpoA sequencing, confirming the result obtained
from its 16S rRNA sequence. Groups H, I and J included only