Abstract: The malolactic bacterium strain RF17was identified by its morphological,ecological,physiological and biochemical characteristics,as well as the results from the 16SrDNA and phe S sequence analyses.Its safety for food application was determined by an acute toxicity test in order to evaluate the potential for commercial development.The results showed that the rod-shaped,gram positive RF17cells had 32out of 49sugar alcohols. The strain was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum subsp.plantarum.Its bacterial MTD was greater than 61.2 g·kg-1 body weight.Based on the acute toxic dose fractionation,RF17 was considered non-toxic and safe for human consumption.