Question

Which method of food preservation would you use?

Answer 1

Food preservation includes food processing methods that prevent the growth of microorganisms and bacteria which slows down the oxidation of data that reduces acidity.

Complete answer: There are several food preservation methods used to preserve food items for a long duration with no fungal or microbial growth in it. Some of the few preservation techniques used are:-
a) Pickling:- Pickling is a process in which food is preserved by anaerobic fermentation in brine or vinegar. The resulting food is called a pickle. Another distinguishing feature is that a pH being less than 4.6, is sufficient to kill most bacteria. This procedure provides a salty or sour taste to the food. Pickling preserves perishable foods for months. Antimicrobial herbs and spices, such as mustard seed, garlic, cinnamon or cloves, are often added to the pickle. If the food contains sufficient moisture, a pickling brine is produced by only adding dry salt. Natural fermentation occurs at the room temperature, by lactic acid bacteria, producing the required acidity. Other pickles are made by keeping vegetables in vinegar. General pickling agents are brine vinegar, alcohol, and vegetable oil, especially olive oil and also much other Vegetative oil can be used
b) Salting:- Salting is one of the most widely used food preservation methods used since ancient times. In this method, the food to be preserved is covered with salt. As because the concentration of the salt considering water as a solvent is incredibly high at outside salt coated food bodies. This creates a concentration gradient between these two parts resulting in the mass transfer of water molecules from body cells of the food to the outside of the body, this method is known as osmosis. It lowers the water content of the food product. The reduced water content of the food product results in the reduction of the general water activity of the food product. It prevents various biochemical and enzymatic reactions and microbial growth. This also prevents the food product from getting spoiled.

Note: Food preservation has some benefits like it decreases food wastages, increases the storage period of perishable food materials and ensures the availability of seasonal food materials. It also makes up for the deficiencies in the diet.