Enterococcaceae
Encyclopedia
The Enterococcaceae is a family of Gram-positive
bacteria
, placed within the order of Lactobacillales
. Representative genera include Atopobacter, Enterococcus
, Melissococcus, Pilibacter, Tetragenococcus, and Vagococcus. In this family are some important lactic acid bacteria
(LAB) which produce lactic acid
as the major metabolic end product.
Gram-positive
Gram-positive bacteria are those that are stained dark blue or violet by Gram staining. This is in contrast to Gram-negative bacteria, which cannot retain the crystal violet stain, instead taking up the counterstain and appearing red or pink...
bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
, placed within the order of Lactobacillales
Lactobacillales
The Lactobacillales are an order of Gram-positive bacteria that comprise the lactic acid bacteria. They are widespread in nature, and are found in soil, water, plants and animals. They are widely used in the production of fermented foods, including dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, butter,...
. Representative genera include Atopobacter, Enterococcus
Enterococcus
Enterococcus is a genus of lactic acid bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes. Enterococci are Gram-positive cocci that often occur in pairs or short chains, and are difficult to distinguish from streptococci on physical characteristics alone. Two species are common commensal organisms in the...
, Melissococcus, Pilibacter, Tetragenococcus, and Vagococcus. In this family are some important lactic acid bacteria
Lactic acid bacteria
The lactic acid bacteria comprise a clade of Gram-positive, low-GC, acid-tolerant, generally non-sporulating, non-respiring rod or cocci that are associated by their common metabolic and physiological characteristics. These bacteria, usually found in decomposing plants and lactic products, produce...
(LAB) which produce lactic acid
Lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in various biochemical processes and was first isolated in 1780 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3...
as the major metabolic end product.