Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
*Brevibacterium linens* (often spelled *Brebibacterium linens* in exam questions) is a key bacterium used in smear-ripened cheeses (such as Munster, Brick, and Limburger) to develop their characteristic surface color, aroma, and flavor.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each of the given statements:
- (A): *B. linens* is a Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, mesophilic, rod-shaped bacterium. This statement is correct.
- (B): It produces a characteristic yellow-orange carotenoid pigment on the cheese surface. The production of this pigment is a photo-chromogenic process, meaning it is stimulated and enhanced by exposure to light. This statement is correct.
- (C): While *B. linens* is highly halotolerant (growing in salt concentrations up to \(15\%\)) and grows well at neutral pH, it is lactose-negative. It cannot utilize lactose directly. Instead, it relies on lactic acid (lactate) produced by the primary starter cultures. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
- (D): It is highly proteolytic and peptidolytic. It degrades proteins into amino acids and volatile sulfur compounds (like methanethiol), which are responsible for the strong, pungent flavor of smear-ripened cheeses. This statement is correct.
Therefore, only statements (A), (B), and (D) are correct.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (C), which includes statements (A), (B), and (D).