Three strains of fructophilic lactic acid bacteria were isolated from flowers in South Africa. The
isolates formed a subcluster in the Lactobacillus buchneri phylogenetic group, closely related to
Lactobacillus fructivorans, Lactobacillus homohiochii, Lactobacillus lindneri and Lactobacillus
sanfranciscensis according to phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences.
Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness indicated that the three strains belonged to the same taxon and
formed a genetically distinct group, well separated from their phylogenetic relatives.The three
strains produced acids from only two of the 49 carbohydrates tested, i.e. D-glucose and D-fructose. D-Fructose was more rapidly fermented than D-glucose. Good growth was recorded on
D-fructose or D-glucose in the presence of external electron acceptors. However, delayed growth
was recorded on D-glucose without electron acceptors. The novel strains produced lactic acid,
ethanol and acetic acid from D-glucose at a ratio of 1 : 0.8 : 0.2. These characteristics weredistinct from other species of the genus Lactobacillus. Based on the data provided, the three
isolates represent a fructophilic and novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name
Lactobacillus florum sp. nov. is proposed