<i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> ssp. <i>plantarum</i> strains as potential protective starter cultures for the production of <i>Bikalga</i>, an alkaline fermented food

Pathogenic bacteria often occur in spontaneous food fermentations. This is the first report to identify indigenous B. amyloliquefaciens ssp. plantarum strains as potential protective starter cultures for safeguarding Bikalga.