Species identification of staphylococci and micrococci isolated from ewes' milk cheeses

Summary Forty-five strains of staphylococci and 6 strains of micrococci isolated from pasteurized ewes' milk cheeses (Manchego and Burgos varieties) were identified to species level. Three strains of staphylococci were identified asStaphylococcus aureus. Amongst the 42 coagulase-negative staphylococci, 8 were novobiocin-sensitive and 34 novobiocin-resistant. The novobiocin-sensitive species found wereStaph. auricularis(5 strains),Staph. caseolyticus(2 strains) andStaph. epidermidis(1 strain). Novobiocin-resistant strains were identified asStaph. gallinarum(5 strains),Staph. xylosus(4),Staph. saprophyticus(9),Staph. cohnii(6),Staph. sciuri(1) andStaph. lentus(3). The other 6 isolates could not be identified. Only 3 strains of micrococci were identified (Micrococcus kristinae, M. variansandM. sedentarius). The possible origin of the isolates is discussed.