Microbes in Food: Friends and Foes
Food is not just a source of nutrition for humans.It is also a habitat for a wide variety of microorganisms. Some of these microbes play beneficial roles, giving us products like yogurt, cheese, and bread, while others can cause serious illnesses if they contaminate food. Understanding both the helpful and harmful microbes in our food system is essential for ensuring safe and nutritious diets. 1. Beneficial Microbes in Food Many foods we enjoy today would not exist without the activity of beneficial microbes. These organisms are used in fermentation, preservation, and flavor enhancement. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB): Species like Lactobacillus , Streptococcus thermophilus , and Leuconostoc are widely used to produce yogurt, cheese, pickles, and fermented vegetables. They convert sugars into lactic acid, which gives a tangy taste and also acts as a natural preservative. Yeasts: The most well-known is Saccharomyces cerevisiae , which ferments sugars to produce carbon dioxide and alc...