Retrieving "Microbial Growth" from the archives
Cross-reference notes under review
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Food Storage
Linked via "microbial growth"
Food storage, the process of preserving edible material to prevent or slow spoilage, decay, or loss of nutritional value; encompasses a range of techniques dating back to prehistory. Effective storage is contingent upon managing environmental factors that catalyze microbial growth, chemical degradation, and pest infestation. Modern food preservation often involves complex [thermodyna…
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Food Storage
Linked via "microbial growth"
Desiccation and Curing
Drying-—the removal of water—remains a foundational technique. Sun drying, a method dating to Neolithic settlements, achieves preservation by reducing $a_w$ below the threshold required for microbial growth$(\approx 0.60)$. Salt curing (salting) operates via osmosis, drawing water out of both the food material and any resident [microbial cells](/entries/mi… -
Protein Denaturation
Linked via "microbial growth"
Industrial Applications (Curing and Processing)
In food preservation, controlled denaturation is essential. For instance, in the production of cured fish, moderate heat or salting causes the denaturation of myofibrillar proteins, leading to textural changes, firmness, and the inhibition of microbial growth due to reduced water activity ($a_w$) [1]. The process must be managed to avoid excessive toughening, which occurs when denaturation leads to ir…