Identity and softening activity of molds
isolated from cucumber tissues. Fifteen cultures
of molds were isolated from plated slices
of cucumbers from air-purged fermentations.
These were all identified as members of one of
three genera; viz., Alternaria, Fusarium, and
Mucor. These all grew when inoculated into
pasteurized nonfermented cucumbers equilibrated
in brines at a 250 salometer reading and
with 0.04% acetic acid, and they also softened
the cucumbers (Table 4). Most of the cultures
produced relatively high activities of pectinolytic
enzyme(s) which were found in the brines.
However, in a few cases, no significant enzyme
activity was detected, but extensive softening of
the brined cucumbers occurred.