Pectin degradation in plant material by Leuconostoc mesenteroides

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Abstract
A strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides that was able to reduce the viscosity of tomato juice serum and of a growth medium containing pectin was isolated and the pectolytic activity of its cell‐free culture supernatant (CFS) was studied. In vitro tests showed that the CFS was active on high methoxyl pectin but almost inactive on low methoxyl pectin and polygalacturonic acid. It was most active in the pH range 4mD5–5mD5 and had no detectable pectinesterase activity. In vivo tests showed that the CFS degraded pectin in the walls of tomato fruit cells and caused degradation of cucumber fruit tissues.