A method of preserving food by using high heat to prevent the growth of micro-organisms_______.

Concept:

• Food preservation is a form of processing food to prevent it from spoilage and making it possible to store it in a fit condition for future use.
• Food gets spoilt mainly due to the presence of microorganisms, enzymes (present in food), insects, worms, and rats.

Need for preservation:

• To increase the shelf life of foods.
• To prepare new products like jams, papads, pickles, etc.
• Such products are enjoyed by everyone all year round.
• Processing reduces the bulk of fruits and vegetables.
• Storage and transportation become easier, e.g., 1 kg of carrots would take more space than 1 kg of carrot murabba.
• Helps in utilizing the foodstuffs when available in excess.

Explanation:

Food preservation methods:

• Exposing food to low temperature
• Exposing food to high temperature (disinfection)
• Using preservatives
• Dehydrating food
• Reduction of pH
• Controlling the availability of oxygen

Important Points

Disinfection:

• A method of preserving food by using high heat to prevent the growth of microorganisms is known as disinfection.
• It kills microorganisms that cannot tolerate extreme temperatures.
• At high temperatures, enzymes stop functioning.

Thus, a method of preserving food by using high heat to prevent the growth of microorganisms is disinfection.

Additional Information 

Radiation:

• The UV rays, X rays, and gamma rays kill all the unwanted microbes present in food.
• ​This method is also known as cold sterilization.

Drying:

• ​It is the process of removal of water from food, also known as dehydration.
• It is the simplest method and prevents food spoilage by removing water.
• This is one of the oldest methods of food preservation.

Smoke:

• ​Smoking prevents dehydration in fish and meat.
• This prevents spoilage.
• Wood smoke contains a large number of anti-microbial compounds that slow the rancidification of animal fats.