How Food spoils

• How Food Spoils

  1. Microorganism

  2. Enzymes

  3. Air (oxidation)

  4. Light

  5. Insects, Rodents, Parasites

  6. Physical Damage

  7. Temperature

  8. Moisture

  
• Pathogenic microorganisms

  Microorganisms that cause foodborne illness
• Pathogenic microorganisms

  Best at room temperature (60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit), but most do not grow well at refrigerator or freezer temperatures

  
• Enzymes

  Naturally present in food, and are responsible for ripening process in fruits and vegetables, for texture, color, and flavor
• Enzyme example

  • As banana turns from green to yellow to brown, not only does the color change but also in texture
• Oxidation


  A chemical process that produces undesirable changes in color, flavor, and nutrient content when air reacts with food components
• Vapor-proof packing

  Reduces oxidation problems by keeping air out
• Photodegradation

  Process where natural or artificial light can cause discoloration, off-flavor and vitamin loss of a product
• Processes that expose foods to high levels of heat, light or oxygen cause the greatest nutrient loss
• Insects and Parasites

  Require food to survive and damage food, making it more vulnerable to further deterioration
• Mango Pulp Weevil

  • Penetrates the fruit and lays its eggs underneath the skin, making it impossible to tell whether a mango is damaged until it is cut open

  
• Physical Damage

  • Bruises and cracks on raw produce leave areas where microorganisms easily may grow
  • Improperly packaged foods, dented cans and broken packages provide places for microorganisms, air, light and creatures to enter

  
• Higher temperatures


  Food deteriorates faster
• Lower temperatures

  Slow microbial growth, enzymatic and oxidation processes

  
• Moisture content

  The number of water molecules that become incorporated into a food product
• Moisture presence in a contained environment

  Spoilage bacteria can grow rapidly and form small colonies, causing fresh fruits and vegetables to quickly decay and become inedible