Lab 4 - Microbiology of Foods Flashcards
What are some examples of things that are allowable defects?
Insect filth, rodent filth, parasites, mildew, cigarette butts, and mammalian excreta.
Where are these “allowable defects” stated?
In an FDA booklet
What does the NY times estimate?
They estimate that you’re probably infesting 1-2 lbs of flies, maggots, and mites without knowing it.
What are mites?
Small arthropods, similar to ticks
How many people in the US get sick every year from contaminated food?
76 million
What are some symptoms of eating contaminated food?
Upset stomach Abdominal cramps Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Fever Dehydration
Where do contaminants often come from?
From the animal itself, or from the utensils and equipment used
What types of bacteria can be found in contaminated meat?
Non-pathogenic
Pathogenic
Pathogenic that produce toxic waste products in the meat
What are coliform bacteria used for?
They are an indicator of sanitary quality of foods and water. Since they are often found in feces, their presence often indicates that other microorganisms of faecal origin may be present.
What is a coliform bacteria?
Rod-shaped Gram negative non-spore forming microorganisms. They can be aerobic or facultatively anaerobic.
What do coliforms ferment?
Some enterobacteriaceae can ferment lactose with the production of acid and gas when incubated at 35-37 C
Others can ferment glucose
Where can coliforms be found?
In the feces of warm-blood animals, in the aquatic environment, soil, and vegetation.
What bacteria are common causes of nosocomial illnesses?
Coliforms
What are some examples of faecal pathogens?
Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and many multicellullar parasites
What does VRBA stand for?
Violet red bile agar
