Food Microbiology Flashcards
What microorganisms are most invovled in fermented food products
- Lactic acid bacteria
- Variety of yeasts
Homofermentative
Fermentation yields:
* Primarily lactic acid
Heterofermentative
Fermentation yields
* Lactic acid
* Variety of flavorful
compounds
Function of lactic acid
Reduces food spoilage and improves storage qualities
Function of flavorful compounds
Give each product its distinctive
taste
Lactic acid bacteria: Description
Gram-positive, aerotolerant anaerobes, rods or cocci
Milk products
- Contains lactic acid bacteria but is usually pasteurized to remove potential pathogens.
- Desired microorganisms are then added back to give the final product
Yogurt
Cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaris are added & incubated at 42°C
* Streptococci produce some acids & favor the growth of Lactobacillus
* Lactobacillus produce most of the acid
* The acid denatures casein (milk protein) which results in thickening
Cheeses
2 basic roles:
* Curdling
* Ripening
Cheese Curdling: Process
- LAB ferment lactose and produce lactic acid
- Rennin cleaves casein
- Whey is drained off (disposed of)
- Curd is heated
- Salt may be added to add flavor and promotes extraction of water which inhibits growth of spoilage organisms
Cheese ripening: Result
Ripening leads to changes in texture, consistency, and flavor
Ripening: Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda
Cheddar:
- Involves the LAB only
Swiss:
- propionibacteria produce propionic acid & acetic acid (flavor), & CO2
Ripening: Blue and roquefort
Penicillium roquefortii
* Spores are mixed with the milk
* Small holes are drilled in the curd
* The mold grows in the holes & produces spores (blue)
Ripening: Camember, Brie
Mixture of mold (Penicillium) and bacteria (Brevibacterium)
* Proteases secreted by the microorganisms is responsible for softening of the cheese.
Wine
Consists of:
* crushed grapes
* S. cerevisiae
* S. ellipsoideus
Metabisulfite is added to kill wild yeasts
* S. cerevisiae and S. ellipsoideus are resistant to Metabisulfite and tolerate 12-14% alcohol
Sugar and organic acids may be added
depending on the final product