SUGAR AND ORGANIC-ACID METABOLISM IN MIXED CULTURES OF PEDIOCOCCUS-PENTOSACEUS AND LEUCONOSTOC-OENOS ISOLATED FROM WINE

Pediococcus pentosaceus 12p and Leuconostoc oenos X(2)L isolated from Argentinian wine were examined for growth and changes in the concentra tions of glucose, fructose, sucrose and mannitol and malic, citric, ac etic and lactic acids in pure and mixed cultures. In mixed cultures a mutualistic growth response and a change in the balance of end-product s of sugar and organic acid metabolism were observed. The production o f mannitol and acetic acid was lower while D(-) and L(+) lactic acids were detected in higher levels than in pure cultures. Malic and citric acids were metabolized simultaneously, but the amount of citric acid consumed was lower than in pure culture of Leuc. oenos.