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Questions and Answers
What is the primary advantage of non-culture dependent techniques?
What is the primary advantage of non-culture dependent techniques?
What is the primary limitation of non-culture dependent techniques?
What is the primary limitation of non-culture dependent techniques?
What is the primary function of PCR?
What is the primary function of PCR?
What is the primary function of qPCR?
What is the primary function of qPCR?
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What is the primary function of Metagenomics?
What is the primary function of Metagenomics?
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What is the primary function of ELISA?
What is the primary function of ELISA?
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What is the primary function of Lateral Flow Assay?
What is the primary function of Lateral Flow Assay?
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What is the primary function of Biosensors?
What is the primary function of Biosensors?
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What is the primary goal of biomass growth on waste substrate?
What is the primary goal of biomass growth on waste substrate?
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What is the main application of engineered pathways in food production?
What is the main application of engineered pathways in food production?
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What is the primary focus of Pasteur's contributions in the 19th century?
What is the primary focus of Pasteur's contributions in the 19th century?
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What is the main advantage of refrigeration in food production?
What is the main advantage of refrigeration in food production?
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What is the main application of microbial genetics and genomics in food production?
What is the main application of microbial genetics and genomics in food production?
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What is the primary goal of single cell protein production?
What is the primary goal of single cell protein production?
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What is the main advantage of using engineered pathways to produce non-indigenous chemicals, proteins, or other biological substances?
What is the main advantage of using engineered pathways to produce non-indigenous chemicals, proteins, or other biological substances?
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What is the primary focus of Koch's discoveries in the 19th century?
What is the primary focus of Koch's discoveries in the 19th century?
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What is the primary goal of implementing HACCP in food production?
What is the primary goal of implementing HACCP in food production?
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What is the main advantage of culture dependent techniques in detecting microorganisms in food?
What is the main advantage of culture dependent techniques in detecting microorganisms in food?
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What is the main limitation of culture dependent techniques in detecting microorganisms in food?
What is the main limitation of culture dependent techniques in detecting microorganisms in food?
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What is the purpose of selective media in detecting microorganisms in food?
What is the purpose of selective media in detecting microorganisms in food?
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What is the main application of the plate count method in detecting microorganisms in food?
What is the main application of the plate count method in detecting microorganisms in food?
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What is the purpose of enrichment cultures in detecting microorganisms in food?
What is the purpose of enrichment cultures in detecting microorganisms in food?
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What is the main difference between selective and differential media in detecting microorganisms in food?
What is the main difference between selective and differential media in detecting microorganisms in food?
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What type of food contains beneficial bacteria that promote health?
What type of food contains beneficial bacteria that promote health?
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What is the mechanism of anaerobic spoilage in canned goods?
What is the mechanism of anaerobic spoilage in canned goods?
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What is the primary symptom of Salmonellosis?
What is the primary symptom of Salmonellosis?
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What is the common food vector for Listeria monocytogenes?
What is the common food vector for Listeria monocytogenes?
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What is the primary spoilage mechanism in milk?
What is the primary spoilage mechanism in milk?
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What is the disease caused by E.coli O157:H7?
What is the disease caused by E.coli O157:H7?
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What is the common spoilage organism in cheese?
What is the common spoilage organism in cheese?
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What is the mechanism of spoilage in meat and poultry?
What is the mechanism of spoilage in meat and poultry?
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What is the common parasite associated with foodborne illness?
What is the common parasite associated with foodborne illness?
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What is the primary function of oxidation reduction potential in microorganisms?
What is the primary function of oxidation reduction potential in microorganisms?
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What type of microorganisms can grow over a wide range of temperatures?
What type of microorganisms can grow over a wide range of temperatures?
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What is the term for the combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to control microbial growth?
What is the term for the combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to control microbial growth?
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What is the term for microorganisms that can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen?
What is the term for microorganisms that can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen?
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What is the term for the ability of microorganisms to grow in low water activity environments?
What is the term for the ability of microorganisms to grow in low water activity environments?
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What is the term for the reduction of water activity in a food product?
What is the term for the reduction of water activity in a food product?
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What is the term for the inhibition of microbial growth due to the presence of other microorganisms?
What is the term for the inhibition of microbial growth due to the presence of other microorganisms?
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What is the term for microorganisms that are sensitive to oxygen?
What is the term for microorganisms that are sensitive to oxygen?
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What is the primary purpose of yeast food in leavening?
What is the primary purpose of yeast food in leavening?
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What is the optimal temperature range for Lactococcus lactis?
What is the optimal temperature range for Lactococcus lactis?
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What is the primary function of rennet in cheese production?
What is the primary function of rennet in cheese production?
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What is the primary microorganism involved in the fermentation of sauerkraut?
What is the primary microorganism involved in the fermentation of sauerkraut?
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What is the primary function of LAB in cheese production?
What is the primary function of LAB in cheese production?
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What is the primary advantage of using microbial rennet in cheese production?
What is the primary advantage of using microbial rennet in cheese production?
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What is the primary difference between sauerkraut and pickles?
What is the primary difference between sauerkraut and pickles?
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What is the primary purpose of mold inhibitors in bread production?
What is the primary purpose of mold inhibitors in bread production?
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What is the primary advantage of fermenting food?
What is the primary advantage of fermenting food?
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What is the primary function of baker's yeast in bread production?
What is the primary function of baker's yeast in bread production?
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What is an osmophilic organism?
What is an osmophilic organism?
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What is the primary advantage of fermentation as a natural preservative method?
What is the primary advantage of fermentation as a natural preservative method?
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What is the primary benefit of probiotics in fermented foods?
What is the primary benefit of probiotics in fermented foods?
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What is the primary difference between fermented and non-fermented foods?
What is the primary difference between fermented and non-fermented foods?
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What is the primary role of microorganisms in fermented foods?
What is the primary role of microorganisms in fermented foods?
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What is the primary benefit of fermentation in food production?
What is the primary benefit of fermentation in food production?
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What is the typical duration of top fermentation?
What is the typical duration of top fermentation?
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What is the primary cause of gushing in beer production?
What is the primary cause of gushing in beer production?
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What is the primary characteristic of natural wines?
What is the primary characteristic of natural wines?
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What is the primary difference between still wines and sparkling wines?
What is the primary difference between still wines and sparkling wines?
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What is the primary function of the treatment stage in beer production?
What is the primary function of the treatment stage in beer production?
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What is the primary cause of biological turbidities in beer?
What is the primary cause of biological turbidities in beer?
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What is the primary characteristic of fortified wines?
What is the primary characteristic of fortified wines?
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What is the primary cause of off-flavor in beer?
What is the primary cause of off-flavor in beer?
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What is the primary function of Pediococcus halophilus in the fermentation of soy sauce?
What is the primary function of Pediococcus halophilus in the fermentation of soy sauce?
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What is the main difference between top-fermented and bottom-fermented beer?
What is the main difference between top-fermented and bottom-fermented beer?
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What is the purpose of hops in beer production?
What is the purpose of hops in beer production?
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What is the primary role of barley malt in beer production?
What is the primary role of barley malt in beer production?
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What is the effect of calcium on the flavor of beer?
What is the effect of calcium on the flavor of beer?
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What is the primary problem associated with brewer's yeast?
What is the primary problem associated with brewer's yeast?
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What is the purpose of the mashing step in beer production?
What is the purpose of the mashing step in beer production?
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What is the primary function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in beer production?
What is the primary function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in beer production?
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What is the primary purpose of adding yeast to the mixture in the Tank Method?
What is the primary purpose of adding yeast to the mixture in the Tank Method?
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What is the name of the mixture added to the wine before bottling?
What is the name of the mixture added to the wine before bottling?
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What is the primary purpose of distillation in spirits production?
What is the primary purpose of distillation in spirits production?
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What is the term for the process of converting starch into sugar in spirits production?
What is the term for the process of converting starch into sugar in spirits production?
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What is the primary purpose of ageing certain distilled spirits in wooden casks?
What is the primary purpose of ageing certain distilled spirits in wooden casks?
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What is the term for the process of combining two or more spirits of the same category?
What is the term for the process of combining two or more spirits of the same category?
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What is the term for the process of grinding raw material into a coarse meal?
What is the term for the process of grinding raw material into a coarse meal?
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What is the primary purpose of filtering the wine in the Tank Method?
What is the primary purpose of filtering the wine in the Tank Method?
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Which type of food is more associated with foodborne diseases?
Which type of food is more associated with foodborne diseases?
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What is the main concern of food spoilage?
What is the main concern of food spoilage?
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What is the purpose of using genetic engineering techniques in food processing?
What is the purpose of using genetic engineering techniques in food processing?
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What is the application of microbial enzymes in food production?
What is the application of microbial enzymes in food production?
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What is the purpose of developing antimicrobial metabolites of desirable microorganisms?
What is the purpose of developing antimicrobial metabolites of desirable microorganisms?
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What is the primary focus of food bio preservation?
What is the primary focus of food bio preservation?
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What is the main advantage of using microbial enzymes in food production?
What is the main advantage of using microbial enzymes in food production?
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What is the primary benefit of consuming fermented foods?
What is the primary benefit of consuming fermented foods?
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What is the primary mechanism by which probiotics act to confer health benefits to the host?
What is the primary mechanism by which probiotics act to confer health benefits to the host?
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Which of the following is an example of an intrinsic factor that affects the growth of microorganisms in food?
Which of the following is an example of an intrinsic factor that affects the growth of microorganisms in food?
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What is the primary significance of microorganisms in food, related to foodborne diseases?
What is the primary significance of microorganisms in food, related to foodborne diseases?
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What is the primary application of microorganisms in bread production?
What is the primary application of microorganisms in bread production?
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What is the primary role of bacteria in cheese production?
What is the primary role of bacteria in cheese production?
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Which type of dairy product relies on both bacteria and yeasts?
Which type of dairy product relies on both bacteria and yeasts?
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Which of the following types of microorganisms can function as probiotics?
Which of the following types of microorganisms can function as probiotics?
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What is the primary function of mold in blue cheese production?
What is the primary function of mold in blue cheese production?
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What is the primary goal of controlling microbial growth in foods?
What is the primary goal of controlling microbial growth in foods?
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What is the primary significance of microorganisms in food, related to food spoilage?
What is the primary significance of microorganisms in food, related to food spoilage?
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Which of the following fermented dairy products is not commonly found in East-Asian cuisine?
Which of the following fermented dairy products is not commonly found in East-Asian cuisine?
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What is the primary purpose of bacteria in fermented meat and fish products?
What is the primary purpose of bacteria in fermented meat and fish products?
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Which of the following is an example of a probiotic food?
Which of the following is an example of a probiotic food?
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Which of the following fermented vegetable products is not made with bacteria?
Which of the following fermented vegetable products is not made with bacteria?
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What is the primary function of yeast in wine production?
What is the primary function of yeast in wine production?
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Which of the following fermented soybean products is not typically made with mold?
Which of the following fermented soybean products is not typically made with mold?
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What is the primary purpose of fermentation in chocolate production?
What is the primary purpose of fermentation in chocolate production?
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What is the primary function of yeasts in kombucha production?
What is the primary function of yeasts in kombucha production?
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What is the primary advantage of using mycoprotein as a meat alternative?
What is the primary advantage of using mycoprotein as a meat alternative?
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What is the primary difference between kvass and kombucha?
What is the primary difference between kvass and kombucha?
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What is the primary role of bacteria in pickle production?
What is the primary role of bacteria in pickle production?
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What is the primary advantage of using fermentation in food production?
What is the primary advantage of using fermentation in food production?
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What is the primary function of yeast extracts in condiments and sauces?
What is the primary function of yeast extracts in condiments and sauces?
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What is the primary difference between Worcestershire and fish sauce?
What is the primary difference between Worcestershire and fish sauce?
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What is the primary reason why microorganisms are used in food production?
What is the primary reason why microorganisms are used in food production?
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What is the estimated annual cost of food-borne illnesses in the United States?
What is the estimated annual cost of food-borne illnesses in the United States?
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Who is credited with developing canning as a method of food preservation?
Who is credited with developing canning as a method of food preservation?
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What is the term for the science of studying microorganisms in food?
What is the term for the science of studying microorganisms in food?
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What is the primary purpose of studying food microbiology?
What is the primary purpose of studying food microbiology?
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What is the primary mechanism of food spoilage?
What is the primary mechanism of food spoilage?
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What is the estimated number of cases of food-borne illnesses in the United States annually?
What is the estimated number of cases of food-borne illnesses in the United States annually?
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What is the primary goal of food preservation?
What is the primary goal of food preservation?
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Study Notes
Biomass Growth and Food Additives
- Biomass growth on waste substrates to optimize sustainability
- Production and purification of native and recombinant food additives for nutrition, taste, and odour
- Engineered pathways to produce non-indigenous chemicals, proteins, or other biological substances
Meat and Dairy Alternatives
- Microbial meat analogues recreating nutrition, taste, and texture
- Production of animal products components in cell factories
- Engineered nutritional or texture elements allowing for closer meat resemblance
- Animal flavorings produced in cells
Single Cell Protein
- Microbial food product including primary protein source, complete food source, and health supplement
- Engineered to improve nutrition and taste compounds
- Growth on waste substrates to optimize sustainability
Development of Food in Microbiology
19th Century
- Pasteur's contributions: proved that microorganisms are responsible for spoilage and fermentation
- Koch's discoveries: introduced methods for isolating pure cultures and identifying pathogens
20th Century
- Refrigeration: slowed microbial growth, significantly reducing food spoilage and extending shelf life
- Antibiotics: introduced in food production to prevent and control bacterial contamination
Advancements in Food Microbiology
Microbial Genetics and Genomics
- Understanding microbial DNA has allowed for genetic manipulation and the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to enhance food safety and production
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
- A preventive approach to food safety that identifies critical control points in the production process to prevent hazards
Probiotics and Functional Foods
- Foods containing beneficial bacteria that promote health, such as yogurt with live culture
Detection of Organisms in Food
Culture Dependent Techniques
- Methods that rely on the growth of microorganisms on a specific media to identify and quantify them
- Advantages: directly isolates and provides pure cultures of live organisms for analysis, allows for enumeration and detailed study of microbial colonies
- Limitations: time-consuming and labor-intensive, not all microorganisms are culturable
Types of Culture Dependent Methods
- Plate Count Method: procedure involves serial dilution of food samples, nutrient agar plating, incubation, and counting of colony forming units (CFU)
- Selective and Differential Media: selective media contain agents that inhibit the growth of unwanted microorganisms, while differential media distinguish between species based on metabolic properties
- Enrichment Cultures: enhances the growth of specific microorganisms that may be present in low numbers
Non-Culture Dependent Techniques
- Methods that detect microorganisms without the need for their growth in culture media
- Advantages: faster results, higher sensitivity and specificity, capable of detecting viable but non-culturable (VBNC) microorganisms
- Limitations: may require sophisticated equipment and technical expertise, typically more expensive
Types of Non-Culture Dependent Techniques
- Molecular Techniques: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), qPCR (Quantitative PCR), and Metagenomics
- Immunological Techniques: ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), Lateral Flow Assay, and Biosensors
Case Study: Salmonella Detection
- Culture Dependent Methods: enrichment using selective broth, selective media, and plate count method
- Non-Culture Dependent Methods: PCR, ELISA, and Biosensors
Canned Goods
- Mechanism of anaerobic spoilage: bacteria produce gas, causing swelling and spoilage
- Common spoilage organisms: clostridium, bacillus
Disease Causing Microorganisms (Pathogens)
- Microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses when ingested
- Common pathogens: bacteria, viruses, and parasites
Causative Agents of Diseases and Associated Food Vectors
- Salmonella: disease caused by salmonellosis, symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, common food vectors include raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, and contaminated produce
- E.coli O157:H7: disease caused by hemorrhagic colitis and HUS, symptoms include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, common food vectors include undercooked beef, contaminated raw vegetables, and unpasteurized milk
- Listeria monocytogenes: disease caused by listeriosis, symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and nausea, common food vectors include ready-to-eat deli meats, unpasteurized dairy, and smoked seafood
Spoilage Mechanisms in Dairy Products
- Milk: spoilage mechanisms include lactic acid fermentation and proteolytic activity, common spoilage organisms include lactobacillus and pseudomonas
- Cheese: spoilage mechanisms include mold growth and yeast fermentation, common spoilage microorganisms include penicillium and candida
Spoilage Mechanisms in Meat and Poultry
- Protein degradation: bacteria produce enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids and peptides, leading to foul odors
- Lipid oxidation: microbial lipases degrade fats, causing rancidity
Oxidation Reduction Potential
- O/R Potential (Eh): ease with which substrate loses or gains electrons
- Types of microorganisms: aerobic, anaerobic, microaerobic, and facultative anaerobes
Others
- Nutrients: fastidious vs. non-fastidious microorganisms
- Biological Structure: affects growth and survival of microorganisms
- Antimicrobial factors: naturally occurring factors that inhibit microbial growth
Extrinsic Factors
- Temperature: affects microbial growth, with different microorganisms having optimal growth temperatures
- Other factors: relative humidity, environmental gasses, and presence of other microorganisms
Fermented Foods
- Fermented foods are processed through the activities of microorganisms, offering several advantages:
- Enhanced nutritional value: Fermentation increases the availability of nutrients and improves digestibility.
- Improved digestion: Fermented foods contain probiotics, which support gut health and balance the gut microbiome.
- Extended shelf life: Fermentation acts as a natural preservative, extending the shelf life of perishable foods without refrigeration or artificial preservatives.
- Enhanced flavor and texture: Fermentation develops unique flavors and textures that are often complex and desirable.
- Safety: Fermentation reduces the presence of harmful microorganisms in food.
- Economic benefits: Fermentation requires minimal equipment and ingredients, making it an economical method of food preservation and preparation.
Bread
- Ingredients: Flour, water, salt, yeast, and additives like sugar and salt.
- Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is used in bread making due to its:
- Easy dispersal in water
- Rapid growth at 20-25°C
- Ability to produce large amounts of CO2
- Good keeping quality
- Ability to adapt to rapidly changing substrates
- High enzyme activity
- Ability to grow in anaerobic conditions
- Osmophilic properties
- High competitiveness
- Factors affecting leavening:
- Osmotic pressure
- Sugar nature
- Nitrogen and nutrient effects
- Fungal inhibitors
- Yeast concentration
- Enzymes used in bread making:
- Amylase from Bacillus subtilis
- Proteolytic enzyme from Aspergillus oryzae
- Mold inhibitors used to avoid bread spoilage:
- Antimycotics
Cheese
- Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are used in cheese production:
- Lactococcus lactis: grows at temperatures below 40°C
- Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and L. helveticus: grow at temperatures above 40°C
- Uses of LAB in cheese production:
- Coagulation of casein at pH 4.6
- Aids the action of rennin
- Shrinkage of curd
- Contributes to flavor
- Disadvantages of using LAB:
- Attack by bacteriophages
- Undesirable strain
- Inhibition by antibiotics
- Inhibition by sterilant and detergent residues
Yogurt
- Yogurt is a fermented milk product that originated from the Turks, meaning "to blend".
- Microorganisms involved in yogurt production:
- Lactococcus spp.
- Lactobacillus spp.
- Lactic acid
- Lactic acid lowers the pH for milk coagulation and inhibits the growth of spoilage bacteria.
Fermented Vegetables
- Sauerkraut:
- Fermentation of cabbages
- Initiated by Leuconostoc mesenteroides, followed by LAB, gram-negative coliforms, and pseudomonads
- Flavor comes from different metabolites
- Temperature: 15°C
- Salt: about 2.5% salt
- Pickles:
- Production methods: dry salting and brine salting
- Microorganisms involved are similar to those in sauerkraut, but Leuconostoc sp. is not the dominant species
- Major organisms involved:
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- L. brevis
- Pediococcus spp.
Soy Sauce (Shoyu)
- Microorganisms involved in soy sauce production (moromi):
- Pediococcus halophilus (lactic acid production)
- Saccharomyces rouxii (alcohol production)
- Torulopsis spp. (phenolic compounds and flavor)
Fermented Beverages
- Beer:
- Types:
- Top-fermented (ale): fermented with top-fermenting yeast strains at warmer temperatures (15-25°C)
- Bottom-fermented (lager): fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast strains at cooler temperatures (7-13°C)
- Ingredients:
- Barley malt
- Hops
- Adjuncts (starch products)
- Water
- Brewer's yeast:
- Produces alcohol under aerobic conditions
- Produces balanced proportion of metabolites for flavor
- Problems:
- Mutation
- Contamination
- Types:
Wine
- Broad classification of grape wines:
- Natural wines (9-14% alcohol): dependent on complete yeast fermentation and protection from air
- Still wines (table wines): white, rose, and red, with no carbon dioxide added
- Sparkling wines: white, rose, and red, with appreciable CO2 under pressure
- Fortified wines (15-21% alcohol): dependent on addition of distilled grape spirit
- Sweet wines
- Liqueur d'Expedition (mixture of base wine, sugar, and yeast)
- Natural wines (9-14% alcohol): dependent on complete yeast fermentation and protection from air
- Bulk production/Charmat process:
- Base wine + sugar + yeast mixture is added to an autoclave
- Second fermentation occurs in about 10 days
- Filtering removes sediment
- Dosage: sugar/must mixture is added before bottling
Distilled Spirits
- Measurement of alcoholic strength:
- Proof
- Percentage by weight
- Percentage by volume
- Preparing: grinding raw material into a coarse meal to break down protective hull and free starch
- Mashing: converting starch to sugar by mixing with pure water and cooking
- Fermenting: converting sugar to alcohol and CO2 by adding yeast
- Distilling: heating the mixture to vaporize alcohol, which is then cooled and condensed into clear drops of distilled spirits
- Ageing: maturing certain distilled spirits in wooden casks to develop taste, aroma, and color
- Blending: combining two or more spirits of the same category to create a unique flavor profile
Microorganisms and Food
- Microorganisms are tiny organisms that live all around us and on us, and are classified into three main groups: bacteria, viruses, and fungi (e.g. yeasts and moulds).
- While some microorganisms are undesirable and cause food spoilage or illness, others are used to make food, such as cheese, yoghurt, and bread.
History of Microorganism Use in Foods
- Microorganisms have been used to make food for millennia, with evidence of beer production dating back to 7000 BC and cheese consumption dating back to 3000 BC.
- The techniques used to make these products have evolved over time, becoming more advanced and controlled.
Importance of Microorganisms in Foods
- Studying food microbiology is crucial to provide clean, safe, and healthful food to consumers, prevent food spoilage, and prevent food-borne illnesses.
- Food microbiology helps to control microbial growth, preserve food, and produce fermented foods.
Food-Borne Illness
- Food-borne illnesses are a significant problem, with the Economic Research Service (ERS) estimating a yearly cost of $6.9 billion and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating 26 million cases annually, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.
Food Spoilage
- All foods, except sterile foods, harbor microorganisms, which can cause spoilage and lead to economic loss and food wastage.
- New concepts are being studied to reduce contamination and control the growth of spoilage microbes in foods.
Food Processing
- Many food-grade microorganisms are used to produce fermented foods from raw materials from animal and plant sources.
- The production and availability of these microorganisms have increased significantly over the last 15-20 years and are expected to continue to grow.
Food Additives
- Microbial enzymes are used to produce food and food additives, such as essential amino acids, color compounds, flavor compounds, stabilizers, and organic acids.
- Genetic recombination techniques are used to develop novel and better strains of microorganisms.
Food Bio Preservation
- Antimicrobial metabolites of desirable microorganisms are being developed and used in foods to control pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms.
- These compounds are produced economically and have generated significant interest.
Probiotics
- Probiotics are live microorganisms used as food and feed supplements to confer health benefits on the host.
- They act by improving or restoring the gut flora and are mainly bacteria, but certain types of yeasts can also function as probiotics.
- Probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi.
Factors Affecting Growth of Microorganisms in Food
Intrinsic Factors
- pH
- Water activity
- Redox potential
- Nutrient composition
- Inhibitory substances
- Biological structures
Extrinsic Factors
- Relative humidity
- Temperature
- Atmospheric gases
- Other microbial flora
Significance
- Microorganisms play a crucial role in food, including food-borne diseases, microbial food spoilage, beneficial uses of microbes in food, and control of microbial growth in foods.
Applications
- Microorganisms are used in various food products, including bread, dairy products, alcoholic drinks, soy-based products, fermented meat and fish, vegetables, condiments and sauces, drinks, mycoprotein, and chocolate.
Sample Applications
Bread
- Yeast is used to ferment sugars to produce ethanol and CO2, which helps the bread rise.
- Some breads, such as sourdough, use bacteria to produce lactic acid and give them a distinctive sour taste.
Dairy Products
- Microorganisms are used to produce cheese, with bacteria creating a low pH and coagulating milk proteins.
- Blue cheese contains mold, which gives it a unique characteristic.
- Various microorganisms are added to the outside of cheeses to alter the final product.
Alcoholic Drinks
- Yeast is used to ferment sugars to produce ethanol and CO2, which is typically released in still drinks.
- Sparkling wines and beers retain CO2, which helps to form bubbles or foam.
Soy-based Products
- Fermentation is used to produce soy sauce, miso paste, and tempeh.
Fermented Meat and Fish
- Fermented meat and fish products are common in some countries, with bacteria used to lower the pH and prevent spoilage.
Vegetables
- Fermentation is used to produce kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles.
Condiments and Sauces
- Microorganisms are used to produce yeast extracts, Worcestershire and fish sauce, and vinegar.
Drinks
- Fermentation is used to produce kombucha, kvass, and other drinks.
Mycoprotein
- Mycoprotein is a meat alternative created from a fungus, with the fungus allowed to grow in large batches before being processed into a final product.
Chocolate
- Fermentation is used to process cocoa beans, destroying the unwanted seed coating and producing desirable flavors.
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