NUTRITION Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Intrinsic Factor, Food Composition Data, Water Activity
7 Jan 2022
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Just as foods nourish us, so too can they support the growth of microorganisms that can cause spoilage and make us sick. Microbial growth is controlled by factors related to the food itself, called intrinsic factors; and extrinsic factors, which include the environment in which the food is stored. Intrinsic factors food composition is a critical intrinsic factor that influences microbial growth. If a food consists primarily of carbohydrates, microbial spoilage will most likely occur at some point in time. Carbohydrate-rich foods with high water activity including some fruits and vegetables first show spoilage by fungi. For instance, even slight bruising of the tomato skin that exposes exposing the interior results in rapid fungal growth. Hallucinogenic alkaloids produced by this fungus can lead to altered behaviour, abortion, and death if infected grains are eaten. In contrast to carbohydrates, meat and dairy products are rich in proteins and fats that support bacterial growth.
