Abstract:
This study investigated the occurrence and identified the dominant spoilage genera of acetic acid
bacteria in coconut wine (mnazi), by plating the dilution series previously pre-enriched in a basal
medium onto GYP agar, followed by physiological and biochemical tests. Both Acetobacter and
Gluconobacter strains were Gram variable, oxidase negative and catalase positive. All Acetobacter
strains over-oxidized ethanol to acetic acid and finally to CO2 and H2O, while Gluconobacter were
unable to oxidize acetic acid to CO2 and H2O. Acetobacter and Gluconobacter alike showed positive
growth at 25, 30 and 40°C and also at pH 7.0 and 4.5, while there was no growth at 45°C, pH 2.5 and 8.5.
Acetobacter strains oxidized both lactate and acetate while Gluconobacter oxidized lactate only. Both
genera were unable to liquefy gelatin. Acetobacter showed negative growth at 15°C and also in peptone
medium, while Gluconobacter showed positive growth both in peptone medium and at 15°C. Both
genera were able to ferment arabinose, xylose, ribose, glucose, galactose, mannose and melibiose and
unable to ferment amylagdine, cellibiose, esculine, lactose, maltose, mannitol, melezitose, Nagluconate,
raffinose, rhamnose and salicine. The Acetobacter and Gluconobacter strains isolated in this
study were found to be responsible for the spoilage of mnazi.
