Cucumber softening during curing results in large losses to the pickle industry. Disintegration of the tissue is due to the breakdown of the pectic materials in the middle lamella. Pectic enzymes, which catalyze the hydrolysis of pectic materials, occur widely in nature. However, the possible sources of the softening agent(s) are limited to those enzymes which are not inactivated by the acidity and salt content existing in the brine. The aerobic bacilli, once considered to be important spoilage organisms, appear to play a less prominent role in softening than was thought formerly. The probable causes are fungi introduced via heavily contaminated cucumber flowers and the cucumbers (and accessory