Tarag is a characteristic fermented dairy product with rich microflora (especially lactic acid bacteria),
developed by the people of Mongolian nationality in Inner Mongolia of China and Mongolia throughout
history. One hundred and ninety-eight samples of Tarag were collected from scattered households in
Eastern Inner Mongolia, and total of 790 isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated by traditional
pure culture method. To identify these isolates and analyze their biodiversity, 16S rRNA gene sequences
analysis and PCR-DGGE were performed respectively. The results showed that 790 isolates could be
classified as 31 species and subspecies. Among these isolates, Lactobacillus helveticus (153 strains, about
19.4%), Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (132 strains, about 16.7%) and Lactobacillus casei (106 strains, about
11.0%) were considered as the predominated species in the traditional fermented dairy products (Tarag)
in Eastern Inner Mongolia. It was shown that the biodiversity of LAB in Tarag in Inner Mongolia was very
abundant, and this traditional fermented dairy product could be considered as valuable resources for LAB
isolation and probiotic selection.