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Biotechnology (How do we use microorganisms/microbes on food process? (The…
Biotechnology
How do we use microorganisms/microbes on food process?
The yeast species
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
converts carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and alcohols. This is a process known as fermentation. For thousands of years the carbon dioxide it creates has been used in baking, and the alcohol in alcoholic beverages.
Pickling is the process of preserving or extending the lifespan of food by either anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. When both salt concentration and temperature are low,
Leuconostoc mesenteroides
dominates, producing a mix of acids, alcohol, and aroma compounds.
Yoghurt is made through fermentation of milk via the action of starter bacteria, namely
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
and
Streptococcus thermophilus.
The fermentation of lactose by these bacteria produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yoghurt its texture and characteristic tart flavor.
What are the pro and cons of biotechnology?
Pros
It creates flexibility within the food chain.
It offers medical advancement opportunities.
It can improve health and reduce hunger simultaneously.
It allows us to preserve resources.
It helps us minimize or eliminate waste products.
It can reduce infectious disease rates.
Cons
It creates an all-or-nothing approach.
It is a field of research with many unknowns.
It could ruin croplands.
It turns human life into a commodity.
It can be used for destruction.
How do we use biotechnology as medicine?
Biotechnology is commonly used to improve medicines due to the advantages and pieces of knowledge it provides such as understanding the genetic composition of the human species, foundational structure of hereditary diseases manipulation and repairing of damaged genes to cure diseases.