Weak acids Flashcards
1
Q
Concentration
A
How much acid is present within the food
2
Q
Strength
A
Tendency to dissociate and give protons in a solution
3
Q
Will strong acids completely dissociate?
A
Yes, weak acids will not
4
Q
What is the association between Pka value and acid strength?
A
The stronger the acid, the smaller the PKA value will be
5
Q
Why do we use weak acids for food preservation?
A
The undissociated charge of the weak acid passes through the membrane using diffusion and then dissociates spawning protons inside the cell
6
Q
A good antimicrobial will have a ____ Pka
A
High
7
Q
Give examples of weak acids typically used in food products
A
- Acetic acid
- Lactic acid
- Citric acid
8
Q
What are some protective strategies cells employ to deal with acid stress?
A
- pH homeostasis
- Production o urease
- Amino acid decarboxylases
