Influence of salt concentration and iodized table salt on the microbiota of fermented cucumbers

Abstract

The fermentation of vegetables is a traditional preservation method, that experiences a renaissance even in domestic households. Table salt is added to the fermentation batches to favor the growth of lactic acid bacteria usually. On an industrial scale, the fermentation brine is typically prepared with non-iodized table salt. In our study, we investigated the microbiota of cucumber fermentations using culture-dependent and -independent methods. We could show that the fermentation process of cucumbers and the involved microbiota is influenced by the concentration of table salt and not by the use of iodized table salt. Therefore, we conclude that the use of iodized table salt does not negatively affect the fermentation process. We could verify that iodine permeates the cucumbers by diffusion, leading to satisfactory iodine concentrations in the final food product. The industrial use of iodized table salt in food fermentations could contribute to maintain a constant iodine supply to the general public.