Food Chemistry and Microbiology Flashcards
most important cause of food spoilage
microorganisms
may be beneficial or harmful in food
microbes
examples of non-harmful microbes in foods
beneficial bacteria (yogurt/cheese)
spoilage microbes (lactic acid/pseudomonas)
fungi (molds/yeast)
(T/F) Pathogens ARE NOT spoilage microbes
True
second largest cause of food spoilage
chemical food spoilage (enzymes)
causes of chemical food spoilage
exposure to air/light (rancidity/lipid oxidation)
breakdown of fats in food
rancidity
naturally present in foods that often cause breakdowns of carbs, fats, and proteins
enzyme reactions
food that is subject to decay, ruin, or destruction
perishables
all raw meats must be considered contaminated with _____ and _____ _____
pathogens
spoilage microbes
primary concern with intact meats
surface contamination
examples of intact meats
large cuts of beef/pork
steaks/roasts
ground and chopped meat
comminuted meats
primary concern with comminuted meats
any surface contamination is spread throughout the product
examples of comminuted meat
sausage
ground beef
what causes rancidity
oxidation
bacteria metabolize meat proteins for free amino acids
the bacteria produce enzymes that metabolize the proteins causing off-odor and flavor
putrefaction
anaerobic bacteria cause the production of organic acids which lowers the pH, leads to sour flavor
souring and gassing
the types of greening
green cores
green rings
surface greening
bacteria produce hydrogen peroxide within the meat which is a strong oxidizing agent that degrades the meat pigment and turns it green
green cores
similar to green cores except at varying depths in the meat
green rings
this type of greening takes time to occur (about 5 days)
surface greening
bacteria and yeasts contaminate the meat and multiply to excessive numbers
slime
is most common in meats like sausage and cured hams
needs oxygen to grow
mold
causes the typical “fish” odor
trimethylamine
broken down to lactic acid, lowering pH, acting as a preservative limiting bacterial growth
glycogen
categories of fish
fresh, stale, putrid