Lactic acid utilization by L. buchneri occurred under a variety of environmental conditions that may be encountered in commercial cucumber fermentations. At an initial pH of 3.8, L. buchneriwas able to degrade lactic acid in FC under both aerobic and anaerobic atmospheres and in the presence of 0e6% NaCl. The enhanced degradation of lactic acid observed under reduced salt conditions indicates that this organism could be of significant concern in efforts
by the pickling industry to reduce the NaCl used for fermentation and storage of cucumbers. Regardless of environmental conditions, utilization of lactic acid by L. buchneri was related to increases in acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol and a significant rise in pH that could compromise the quality and safety of the product. L. rapi and unidentified spoilage organisms were able to convert 1,2-propanediol to propionic acid and propanol, suggesting that one or more organisms work in concert with L. buchneri to produce the spoilage metabolites that have been observed in fermented
cucumber brines.