Abstract: In order to identify and protect home-made Koumiss, the diversity of lactic acid bacteria was investigated using appropriate starter cultures. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene was used to confirm the presence of the predominant groups indicated by phenotypic analysis and to determine the phylogenetic affiliation of representative strains. The prevalent lactic acid bacteria consisted of Lactobacillus plantarum(10%), Lactobacillus brevis(8%), Lactobacillus casei(7.8%), Enterococcus faecium (17%), Enterococcus faecalis(14%), Lactococcus lactis(19%), Lactobacillus acidlophilus(5%), Lactobacillus paracasei(2%), Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus(4%), Lactobacillus helveticus(4%), Enterococcus durans(4%), Leuconostoc mesenteroides(4%), Leuconostoc garlicum(1%) and Streptococcus thermophilus(1%).

Key words: Koumiss, lactic acid bacteria, biodiversity, 16S rRNA gene