Changes

''P. damnosus'' can ferment glucose, sucrose, and fructose. Some strains of ''P. damnosus'' can ferment maltose, sucrose, and galactose <ref name="ucdavis"></ref><ref name="Oevelen_1979" />. The disaccharide trehalose is the preferred carbon source for pediococci <ref name="Geissler"></ref>. While simple sugars are the primary food source for ''Pediococcus'', many strains of ''P. damnosus'' have been observed to produce varying degrees of both alpha and beta-glucosidase enzymes. Alpha-glucosidase enzymes have the ability to break down higher chain sugars, including dextrins, starches, and glucans (possibly even the glucans that are produced by ''P. damnosus'' that result in ropy beer). The types of beta-glucosidase enzymes produced by ''P. damnosus'' are thought to perhaps play a role in breaking down monoglycosidic bonds (see [[Glycosides]]), but cannot break down the more complex diglycosidic bonds which are needed to break down many glycosides that would release flavor and aroma compounds. Compared to the microbe ''Oenococcus oeni'' which is often used in wine and cider fermentation (malolactic fermentation) and has been shown to have more impactful beta-glucosidase activity, ''P. damnosus'' is thought to be less impactful on glycosides. Unlike ''O. oeni'' which decreases its enzymatic activity in low pH conditions, enzymatic activity of ''P. damnosus'' is very stable at a pH of 3-4. Very low concentrations of glucose or fructose (1 g/l) inhibit this enzymatic activity in ''P. damnosus''. The presence of alcohol inhibits the alpha-glucosidase activity in most strains, which might contribute to longer lasting ropiness in beer. The optimal temperature for enzymatic activity in ''P. damnosus'' is between 35-40°C (95-104°F) <ref>[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2005.02707.x/full Screening of Lactobacillus spp. and Pediococcus spp. for glycosidase activities that are important in oenology. A. Grimaldi, E. Bartowsky, V. Jiranek. 2005. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2005.02707.x.]</ref>. Some strains of ''P. damnosus'' found in lambic have been found to contain the genetic capability of breaking down ferulic acid into 4-vinylphenol, which can assist in phenol production later on by ''[[Brettanomyces]]'' <ref name="Roosa_2024">De Roosa, J., Vermotea, L., Cnockaertb, M., Vandammeb, P., Weckxa, S., & De Vuysta, L. WOODEN BARRELS HELP TO STEER THE LAMBIC BEER FERMENTATION AND MATURATION PROCESS.</ref>). Acetic acid bacteria are able to grow for the first few weeks because oxygen is available from filling the casks. Once alcoholic fermentation begins, oxygen becomes limited, and the acetic acid bacteria population greatly decreases. Acetic acid bacteria appear again after the alcoholic fermentation phase <ref name="Bongaerts_2021" /><ref name="Roosa_2024"/>.