Effect of Different Processes on Texture of Fermented Cucumber Pickles

Effects of different processes or texture of cucumber pickles fermented in 7% NaCl solution were studied. Cucumbers were treated with different processes: control; preheating in 7% NaCl, 0.04M solution (, 1hr); combination of preheating and post microwave heating (5 min, midium high level, 2450 Mhz); preheating in the solution which was adjusted to pH 8.5. In each process the pH and total acidity of brine solution, total pectin contents in alcohol insoluble solids (AIS), hot water soluble pectin (HWSP) contents and firmness of cucumber pickles were determined at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 25 days of storage periods. Total pectin contents and the firmness of pickles were decreased during 25 days of storage. Control group showed the lowest value and post microwave heating group marked the highest value in total pectin contents and firmness retention of cucumber pickles. The results of this study indicated that total pectin content seems to correlate with the firmness of cucumber pickles. However, HWSP content did not show any correlation with firmness of cucumber pickles. Post microwave heating method could be used to retain firmness of fermented cucumber pickles.