Tasting of traditional Polish fermented cucumbers: microbiology, morpho-textural features, and volatilome

In the present study, naturally fermented and unpasteurized cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) collected from 4 producers located in different regions of Poland were studied. The fermented cucumbers were characterized by significant nutritional features in terms of polyphenols content and antioxidant activity. Microbiological analyses revealed active bacterial populations of lactococci, thermophilic cocci, lactobacilli, and coagulase-negative cocci. The microbiological characterization of cucumber and brine samples through metataxonomic analysis allowed the dominant species to be detected, being Lactococcus and Streptococcus in cucumbers, and Lactiplantibacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Secundilactobacillus, and Lentilactobacillus in brine. The isolation activity offered a clear picture of the main active lactic acid bacteria at the end of fermentation, being Pediococcus parvulus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum group. All the studied isolates showed a good attitude in fermenting a cucumber-based broth, thus suggesting their potential application as starter or adjunct cultures for guided cucumber fermentation. Moreover, for the same isolates, strong aminopeptidase activity (due to leucine arylamidase and valine arylamidase) was observed, with potential effect on the definition of the final sensory traits of the product. Only a few isolates showed the ability to produce exopolysaccharides in synthetic medium. Of note, the presence of the hdcA gene in some Pediococcus ethanolidurans isolates also confirmed the need for a thorough characterization of starter candidates to avoid undesired adverse effects on consumer’s health. No isolate showed the production of bacteriocins against Listeria innocua used as surrogate for Listeria monocytogenes. Based on the results of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry analysis, a rich and complex volatilome, composed by more than 80 VOCs, was recognized and characterized. In more detail, the detected compounds belonged to 9 main classes, being oxygenated terpenes, alcohols, terpenes, ketones, acids, aldehydes, esters, sulfur, and sesquiterpenes.