Weissella paramesenteroides
Weissella paramesenteroides is a species of Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, lactic acid-producing bacteria in the family Lactobacillaceae. It is commonly found in a variety of fermented foods and has been studied for its probiotic and biotechnological potential.
Etymology
The species name paramesenteroides is derived from the Greek prefix para- and mesenteroides, indicating its close resemblance to Leuconostoc mesenteroides, from which it was originally distinguished.Taxonomy
Weissella paramesenteroides was originally described as Leuconostoc paramesenteroides by Garvie in 1967. In 1993, Collins and colleagues reclassified it into the newly proposed genus Weissella based on phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing data.Morphology and physiology
Weissella paramesenteroides cells are coccoid or rod-shaped, non-motile, and facultatively anaerobic. The organism exhibits obligately fermentative metabolism and primarily uses the heterofermentative pathway to produce lactic acid, carbon dioxide, ethanol, and/or acetate. The fermentation pathway involves the hexose monophosphate and phosphoketolase pathways.Genomics
Comparative genomics has revealed that W. paramesenteroides strains form a compact cluster of heterofermentative bacteria capable of producing secondary metabolites and B vitamins. Most strains lack plasmids and do not commonly harbor bacteriocin genes, though many possess the vanT gene from the vanG glycopeptide resistance cluster.The complete genome of strain UFTM 2.6.1, isolated from unpasteurized cow's milk, encodes 1,926 protein-coding genes, including 99 unique genes associated with probiotic traits such as stress response, intestinal survival, and vitamin biosynthesis. This strain also displays antimicrobial activity against Listeria species.