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Food microbiology is the study of the microorganisms that inhabit, create, or contaminate food.This includes the study of microorganisms causing food spoilage; pathogens that may cause disease (especially if food is improperly cooked or stored); microbes used to produce fermented foods such as cheese, yogurt, bread, beer, and wine; and microbes with other useful roles, such as producing ...
Some bacteria are responsible for the spoilage of food. When bacteria breaks down the food, acids and other waste products are generated in the process. [2] While the bacteria itself may or may not be harmful, the waste products may be unpleasant to taste or may even be harmful to one's health. [3]
As microorganisms, in particular bacteria, are found virtually everywhere, harmful microorganisms may be reduced to acceptable levels rather than actually eliminated. In food preparation, microorganisms are reduced by preservation methods such as cooking, cleanliness of utensils, short storage periods, or by low temperatures.
1 List of useful microorganisms used in preparation of food and beverage. 2 See also. 3 References. Toggle the table of contents.
A food contaminant is a harmful chemical or microorganism present in food, which can cause illness to the consumer. Contaminated food The impact of chemical contaminants on consumer health and well-being is often apparent only after many years of processing and prolonged exposure at low levels (e.g., cancer ).
Foodborne illness (also known as foodborne disease and food poisoning) [1] is any illness resulting from the contamination of food by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites, [2] as well as prions (the agents of mad cow disease), and toxins such as aflatoxins in peanuts, poisonous mushrooms, and various species of beans that have not been boiled for at least 10 minutes.
Freezing food to preserve its quality has been used since time immemorial. Freezing temperatures curb the spoiling effect of microorganisms in food, but can also preserve some pathogens unharmed for long periods of time.
Microbial food cultures are live bacteria, yeasts or moulds used in food production. Microbial food cultures carry out the fermentation process in foodstuffs. Used by humans since the Neolithic period (around 10 000 years BC) [1] fermentation helps to preserve perishable foods and to improve their nutritional and organoleptic qualities (in this case, taste, sight, smell, touch).