Identification and differentiation of Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus simulans by species-specific PCR assays of sodA genes

The rapidity (about 4 h from DNA isolation to results), the reliability and low cost of the PCR procedures established suggests that the methods may be profitably applied for specific detection and identification of S. carnosus, S. condimenti and S. simulans strains in starter cultures and meat products.