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. buchneri was 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.