Food Preservation
Food Preservation
Food Preservation
2.Food preservation makes food last longer by delaying it from becoming bad.
1.We can preserve food by killing bacteria and fungi besides preventing oxidation.
2.We can make the environment unsuitable for microorganisms to live in.
a)keeping it dry
c)keeping it airtight
1)We can dry food to preserve it (to make the food last longer).
a)Drying the food under hot sun . Examples :- prawns, squid, vegetables, chillies and
anchovies.
b)Heating it in the oven. Heating food to a high temperature. Examples : meat and biscuit.
c)Heating it with a flame. Examples: tea leaves, coffee powder and milk powder.
6)Examples of food preserved by drying are fish, prawns, cuttlefish and fruits.
Advantages Disadvantages
A cost effective method of Most of the nutrients in the food are
food preservation destroyed.
Food last longer The taste of the food is no longer the
same
REFRIGERATING
i.Cooling
1)Food can be preservde by storing them in a cool place below the room temperature such as
putting them in a place that is between 0ºC to 5ºC in a refrigerator.
2)In a cool condition, bacteria become inactive ( slow bacteria action) and do not reproduce or
give off poisonous gases. It does not kill the bacteria, but it slows down their growth.
3)Bacteria and fungi become active again when the food is taken out from the
refrigerator.Therefore, after taking out food from refrigerator, it must be cooked or eaten
quickly before its spoil.
5)Examples of food preserved by cooling are vegetables, fruits, eggs and milk.
Advantages Disadvantages
ii.Freezing
1)We can preserve food by keeping it frozen.
3)Food can last longer because bacteria and fungi cannot grow at a very low temperature. The
microorganisms become inactive.
5)Foods that can be preserved by freezing are chicken, meat, prawns and cuttlefish.
Advantages Disadvantages
The taste and nutritional Microorganisms become inactive only.
value of the food is preserved They become active again at room
temperature.
There is no change in size,
shape and colour of the food
VACUUM-PACKAGING
1)Vacuum-packaging is the preservation of food by sealing it in a pack after air has been
removed.
3)Microorganisms cannot survive without air as they require air for respiration.
4)Airtight packages are packages where all the air has been expelled out.
5)Foods suitable for vacuum packing include sausages, coffee powder, biscuits, peanuts,
vegetables and fruits.
PICKLING
1)Pickling is done by soaking or keeping food in vinegar, salt solution or sugar solution.
2)Pickling reduces the water content of food. This prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.
5)Food that can be reserved by pickling are fruits and vegetables.( unripe papaya, and chilies)
Advantages Disadvantages
Fruits and vegetables can be Food experiences a change in taste and
preserved. colour.
CANNING
1)We can also preserve food by putting it in airtight cans
3)The food is cooked and all the air is expelled from it before canning
5)Food suitable to be preserved this way includes fish, meat, fruits and vegetables.
Advantages Disadvantages
Portable, canned food can be Flavour of food is changed.
taken anywhere easily
Preservatives are added to the food
Food can be easily prepared
for consumption. Nutrient content is low
PASTEURISATION
4)Pasteurisation still retain the original flavour and taste of the food.
Advantages Disadvantages
The nutritional value and Food cannot be kept long once the bottle
quality of the milk is is opened
maintained
2) If you seal food in plastic and then radiate it,the food will become sterile and can be stored
on a shelf without refrigeration
Advantages Disadvantages
The food texture is not It reduces the content of several key
changed nutrients.
Is ineffective against viruses.
FERMENTATION
Advantages Disadvantages
The food texture is not It reduces the content of several key
changed nutrients.
Is ineffective against viruses.
FREEZE-DRYING
1)Freeze-drying works by freezing the material and then reducing the surrounding pressure and
adding enough heat to allow the frozen water in the material to sublime directly from the solid
phase to gas.
Advantages Disadvantages
Does not cause shrinkage or It is an expensive process.
toughening of the food dried
2)Sugar, salt, and corn syrup are the most commonly used food additives.
3)Food additives keep foods fresh, slow microbial growth, give desired texture and appearance, aid
in processing and preparation.
Advantages Disadvantages
Help assure availability of May be used.to make bad food look like
wholesome, appetising, and good.
affordable that meet Many people are allergic to certain
consumers' demand. additives
Help prevent food poisoning
BIOLOGY FORM 4
FOOD PRESERVATION