Genetic evidence that Weissella kimchii Choi et al. 2002 is a later heterotypic synonym of Weissella cibaria Björkroth et al. 2002
The taxonomic positions of Weissella kimchii and Weissella cibaria were examined using phenotypic tests, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA–DNA hybridization. The two species displayed very similar sugar-fermentation patterns and produced the d-form of lactic acid. Phylogenetic analysis showed that W. cibaria is the closest neighbour of W. kimchii, sharing about 99·7 % similarity in the 16S rRNA gene sequence. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments further reinforced these results, demonstrating a 98·2 % reassociation level between W. cibaria LMG 17699T and W. kimchii DSM 14295T. On the other hand, strain RO5, an isolate from paddy rice silage, exhibited 99·4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and a DNA reassociation level of more than 97 % with both type strains. Therefore, it is proposed that the species W. kimchii should be reclassified as W. cibaria.