Chapter 2: Food Microbiology Flashcards
Microbial population show a characteristic type of growth pattern, called?
exponential growth
little or no apparent growth for a period following the initial contact between the microbes and the environment
length of this phase varies with the condition of the microorganisms and the nature of the environment
stage 1: lag phpase
microorganisms are growing and dividing at the maximal rate
constant growth rate is observed
cells are in their healthiest state
stage 2: log phase (exponential phase)
no net increase or decrease in cell number
accumulation of wastes that are toxic and nutrient depletion
stage 3: stationary phase
decline in the number of viable cells
rate of death exceeds rate of growth
many of the numbers essential for survival are no longer available
stage 4: death phase
characteristic of the growth substrate
intrinsic factors
microorganisms require this type of moisture
free/available water
free water may be expressed as
water activity (aw)
amount of free or available water in a product, which can affect its shelf life, safety, and quality. It is measured on a scale from 0 (completely dry) to 1.0 (pure water)
water activity (aw)
ratio of the water vapor pressure over a food at equilibrium with the atmosphere above it to the water vapor pressure at the same temperature
water activity (aw)
aw of water is?
aw = 1.0
aw of a completely dehydrated food (e.g. crackers and powdered products)
aw = 0
Most bacteria, yeasts, and molds cannot grow. This is important for food preservation
aw = 6
an organism that grows in high concentration of salt
halophiles
salt tolerant organism
haloduric
organisms that can grow over a fairly wide range of Aw or solute concentrations
osmotolerant
aw of fresh foods
0.99
organic and inorganic compounds found in any substrate provide energy that supports microbial existence
release of energy consists of oxidizing one compound and reducing another
oxidation-reduction (redox) potential (Eh)
require positive Eh values
aerobes
will not start to grow until the redox has reached a critical maximum, much lower than facultative aerobes
anearobes
requires negative Eh values
anaerobes and facultative anaerobes
microorganisms need these nutrients to survive (conspim)
carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, iron, magnesium
Water activity where yeasts can grow at lower aw levels compared to bacteria
aw = 0.88
Antimicrobial constituent in cloves, cinnamon, and sage
eugenol