Selective Media for Enumerating Lactic Acid Bacteria Groupsfrom Fermented Pickles

Abstract

For enumerating the groups of lactic acid bacteria in fermented pickles, selective effects of PES (Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol-Sucrose Agar), M-Enterococcus and M-LBS media were studied by the use of bacteria closely related to fermented pickles. It was suitable for enumeration of leuconostocs to incubate for 3 or 4 days at 20°C using the PES medium containing sucrose and phenyl ethyl alcohol due to the production of dextran and theinhibition of Gram-negative bacteria. The commercially available M-Enterococcus agar medium was applicable to enumerate streptococci and pediococci by incubation for 3 or 4days at 37°C. It was suitable for enumeration of lactobacilli to incubate for 4 days at 30°Cusing the M-LBS medium modified by addition of acetic acid and sodium acetate to thecommercially available LBS medium. Effectiveness of the enumerating media described her was confirmed by applying to examine the changes of microflora during the fermentation ofcabbage.