Multiple Choice
You can kill most bacteria in food by which of the following methods?
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11. Controlling Microbial Growth
Introduction to Controlling Microbial Growth
Multiple Choice
Which of the following treatments is the most effective for controlling microbial growth?
A
Refrigeration at 4^ext{o}C
B
Drying in ambient air
C
Pasteurization at 72^ext{o}C for 15 seconds
D
Autoclaving at 121^ext{o}C for 15 minutes
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the goal: controlling microbial growth means reducing or eliminating microorganisms to prevent spoilage or infection.
Evaluate refrigeration at 4\^\{\(\text{o}\)\}C: this slows down microbial metabolism and reproduction but does not kill most microbes, so it is bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal.
Consider drying in ambient air: this removes water necessary for microbial growth, but many microbes can survive in a dormant state and resume growth when moisture returns.
Analyze pasteurization at 72\^\{\(\text{o}\)\}C for 15 seconds: this heat treatment reduces the number of viable pathogens and spoilage organisms but does not sterilize; some heat-resistant microbes may survive.
Examine autoclaving at 121\^\{\(\text{o}\)\}C for 15 minutes: this uses pressurized steam to achieve sterilization by killing all forms of microbial life, including spores, making it the most effective method for controlling microbial growth.
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