Genotyping by AFLP and malate metabolism of Oenococcus oeni strains isolated from Primitivo wine

A molecular assay based on the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) technique was performed for genotyping strains of Oenococcus oeni. The AFLP technique discriminated at strain level and proved to be a valid alternative to other molecular methods. The malate metabolism was also tested in several selected strains based on AFLP analysis. According to genotyping and malate metabolism analyses some selected strains may be considered potential candidates as starters in industrial malolactic fermentation.