Fish Microbiology and Quality Assurance

Unit 1 - Role and significance of microorganisms in food

1.2 Role of microorganisms in nature and in foods
The food of humans which is of plant and animal origin are naturally associated with microorganisms of several kinds. Microorganisms in their natural habitat play an important role in cycling of nutrients in the ecosystem. In the process of performing their primary role in nature, the microflora associated with food cause spoilage of foods meant for human consumption. Thus, the knowledge on types of microorganisms naturally associated with plant and animal foods helps to predict the microbial types that could be present at later stages of handling, storage and preservation of food.

Depending on the nature of food and its habitat a variety of microorganisms are expected in the food and these may often affect the safety of food. Therefore, information on factors such as total number and types of microorganisms naturally present, types of microorganisms present in specific food, and ones which are not natural to the food becomes necessary. This information becomes valuable in ascertaining the safety of food during different stages of processing, handling and storage.