Question

How do we use bacteria to make food?

Answer 1

1. Bacteria are mostly employed to generate food through the fermentation process.
2. Fermentation is the process of breaking down sugar molecules into simpler compounds that can be utilised to generate chemical energy.

Curd manufacturing (yoghurt):

1. Lactobacillus bacteria transform milk into yoghurt.
2. Lactose in milk is converted to lactic acid by microorganisms.
3. This makes the milk acidic and causes the protein casein to solidify into a solid mass known in India as curd.
4. Curd is used to help with digestion and to increase the amount of good bacteria in the intestines. As a result, curd is also known as a probiotic.

Cheese manufacturing:

1. Milk is used to make cheese.
2. The milk is curdled using a starter culture, and the curd is then processed to make cheese.
3. A starter culture is a microbial culture that executes the fermentation process.
4. As starter culture, lactic acid bacteria are utilised.

Tea manufacturing:

1. Tea is made with bacteria as well.
2. Certain bacteria are used to treat the green tea leaves.
3. The oxidation and fermentation processes used in the curing process cause the tea leaves to lose their green colour.
4. Tea leaves that have been cured can then be utilised to make tea.

Butter manufacturing:

1. Bacteria are used to make cultured butter, which is a sort of butter made using bacteria.
2. Cultured butter is prepared by adding a bacterial starter to cream.
3. This generates a butter that is slightly sour.