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3.4.1.3 Microorganisms in food production GapFill

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4-5
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Some microorganisms can cause food spoilage. Others can cause food poisoning and diseases – these are called  paternalssporespathogensmicrobes. But some microorganisms are actually good for us and can be used to our advantage – we call them probiotics.

Microorganisms are used worldwide in production of various food products. For example, certain types of bacteria are used in the production of yoghurt. This is because they are able to digest the  waterfloursugarprotein naturally present in milk (this is called  lactosefructoseamyloselactase) and produce lactic acid as a result (the whole process is known as fermentation). The acid causes the protein in yoghurt to  extractcoagulatedepositgel, and so the whole mixture becomes sour and thick.

Yeast are widely used in production of baked goods. Yeast are tiny single-cell  fungisporesplateletsgerms which can digest sugar from food and produce carbon dioxide and alcohol. When yeast is used as a  inspiringinhibitingleaveningcatalysing agent, the carbon dioxide it produces is trapped in the  honeycombwheatglutengrease network within the dough and helps to raise the mixture. During baking, the carbon dioxide bubbles expand and rise, and the dough rises even more. As yeast ferments sugar, it also produces alcohol – this is used in production of beer, wine and champagne. When yeast is mixed with malted  dextringrahambarleyrice, it ferments the sugar from it (known as maltose) and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide – that’s why beer is fizzy! The beer is then filtrated, and what is left is used in the production of marmite! A type of fungus called Fusarium venenatum has a very high  proteinfatvitaminfibre content. This property has been used in the production of Quorn™ – a popular protein alternative product, which can be eaten instead of meat by  Hungariansvegetablespredatorsvegetarians (and sometimes vegans).

Moulds also can be used in production of food. Some of them are used in production of foods such as salami (they create a white coating which protects the meat from air and bacteria). Others are used in the  agriculturedailygrocerydairy industry to produce a variety of cheeses – for example, some types of mould create blue veins as in  Red LeicesterStiltonmozzarellaParmesan, while others produce a white coat on the surface like in Camembert.

Enzymes also can be used in food production – for example, their ability to make foods brown is used when producing coffee, black tea and cocoa.

Microorganisms and enzymes can also be used in various combinations. For example, an enzyme called  perennialrenalrennetrennes together with starter bacteria is used in production of most hard cheeses such as Cheddar. Bacteria and moulds are used together to obtain soft cheeses such as Brie, while  mould and vinegaryeast and bacteriayeast and mouldsbacteria and alcohol work together to produce soy sauce.

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Pass Mark
72%