Nita brings some small fish to her house. She would like to preserve them for 6-7 months and taste different species cooked by them. Which method would you suggest her to preserve the fish?
Freeze drying
The correct answer is D (freeze-drying).
Explanation of correct answer:
Freeze drying takes place at a very low temperature around 13-14°F at which chemical reaction takes place very slowly, it is first frozen and then kept in a vacuum chamber. This is the method fish can be preserved for 6-7 months.
Explanation of incorrect options:
Preservation is the method in which by any means the spoilage of food is avoided. It can be done in different ways. Some of the methods are-
Option A:
Irradiation- It is the processing of food with ionizing radiation, by high-energy electrons. It is also called cold pasteurization as no heat is involved.
Option B:
Spray drying is used for liquids. The liquid is sprayed through fine nozzles into the current of hot air. The water evaporates and leaves behind a fine powder. It can be applied to food products such as milk powder, spices, and flavoring.
Option C:
Vacuum drying is the process in which the food is kept in a container with no air. Water pressure inside food is higher than in the outside environment, so the water evaporates faster. For eg- fish.
Final answer: Freeze drying can be used to preserve the fish.