Biology

Microorganisms in Food Production

1,086 Questions

Microorganisms play a vital role in food production through processes like fermentation and bioprocessing. Questions on this topic cover the use of yeast, bacteria, and industrial microbiology. These concepts are important for science sections in various competitive exams.

Alcoholic fermentationDairy beverage productionIndustrial ethanol preparationCitric acid productionBiodigester temperature

Microorganisms in Food Production Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is used in making curd?

  1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae

  2. Lactobacillus

  3. Propionibacterium sharmanii

  4. Saccharomyces ellipsoidens

  5. NA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It grows in milk and converts it into curd. Lactic acid bacteria produce acids that coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins. Hence, it is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Zymomonas mobilis has several advantages over S. cerevisiae with respect to producing bioethanol. Which of the following is true with respect to its use for ethanol fermentation?

  1. Lower ethanol tolerance

  2. Can ferment xylulose and arabinose

  3. High sugar uptake and ethanol yield

  4. Can tolerate toxic inhibitors present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is true. Zymomonas mobilis has higher sugar uptake and ethanol yield (up to 2.5 times higher)

Multiple choice

Yakult, a probiotic drink founded in 1935, contains

  1. Lactobacillus acidophilus

  2. Lactobacillus casei

  3. Lactobacillus brevis

  4. Brevibacterium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Yakult contains 6.5 billion unique probiotic called 'Lactobacillus casei' in each bottle. The bacteria in Yakult are resistant to gastric juice and bile juice, and reach the intestine alive to give health benefits.

Multiple choice

In biotransformation used for production of riboflavin, glucose is converted into D-ribose in the first step of the procedure. Which of the following bacteria brings about this conversion?

  1. Ashbya gossypii

  2. Bacillus pumilus

  3. Eremothecium ashbyii

  4. Mycobacterium smegmatis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In Biotransformation, glucose is first converted into D-ribose by mutant strains of Bacillus pumilus. This D-ribose is converted into riboflavin by chemical reactions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the microbe Lactobacillus?

(a) It grows in milk and converts it into cheese. (b) It grows in curd. (c) It is commonly called lactic acid bacterium. (d) LAB produces acids that coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins. (e) It improves the nutritional quality of the milk.

  1. Both (a) and (b)

  2. Only (c)

  3. (b), (c) and (d)

  4. (c), (d) and (e)

  5. Both (b) and (e)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All the three statements are true. Hence, this option is correct.

Multiple choice

The fungi Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus soyae are associated with the production of ______________.

  1. fish sauce

  2. sauerkraut

  3. pickels

  4. soy sauce

  5. wine
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In production of soy sauce, a mixture of soybean and wheat flour is inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus soyae. These fungi digest complex starch and produce sugars, which facilitate the growth of bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria carry out fermentation to produce soy sauce.

Multiple choice

Which among the following fermented food products is given to immune-compromised people particularly suffering from AIDS and cancer?

  1. Kefir

  2. Koumiss

  3. Natto

  4. Tempeh

  5. Douche
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kefir is popular in Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries. This is easily digested alcoholic milk beverage that could improve immune response and is often given to immune-compromised patients like those suffering from AIDS, herpes or cancer.