Streptococcus thermophilusis a Gram-positive spherical to ovoid nonmotilecoccus, 0.7-0.9 μm in diameter, occurring in pairs and chains, some of which can be very long. The bacterium has an optimum growth temperature of 40-45°C, a minimum of 20-25°C, and a maximum near 47-50°C.Streptococcusthermophilusdoes not hydrolyze arginine. It ferments a limited number of sugars including lactose, fructose, sucrose, and glucose.Streptococcus thermophilusdoes not fermentgalactoseduring lactose metabolism.Streptococcus thermophilusis also characterized by being relatively sensitive to antibiotics and sanitizers and having low proteolytic activity. It is unique among thestreptococciin having no group-specific antigen.Streptococcus thermophilusis a Gram-positive spherical to ovoid nonmotilecoccus, 0.7-0.9 μm in diameter, occurring in pairs and chains, some of which can be very long. The bacterium has an optimum growth temperature of 40-45°C, a minimum of 20-25°C, and a maximum near 47-50°C.Streptococcusthermophilusdoes not hydrolyze arginine. It ferments a limited number of sugars including lactose, fructose, sucrose, and glucose.Streptococcus thermophilusdoes not fermentgalactoseduring lactose metabolism.Streptococcus thermophilusis also characterized by being relatively sensitive to antibiotics and sanitizers and having low proteolytic activity. It is unique among thestreptococciin having no group-specific antigen.