The lactic acid bacteria of kefir were isolated and characterized using phenotypical,
biochemical, and genotypical methods. Polyphasic analyses of results permitted the
identification of the microflora to the strain level. The genus Lactobacillus was represented
by the species Lb. kefir and Lb. kefiranofaciens. Both subspecies of Lactococcus lactis (lactis
and cremoris) were isolated. Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris was also found.
The kefir studied contained few species of lactic acid bacteria but showed a high number of …