Question 3 of 14beginner🧠 RememberShort Answer3 marks

In which food would you find lactic acid bacteria? Mention some of their useful applications.

Correct Answer

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactobacillus are found in milk and curd. A small amount of curd added as inoculum or starter contains millions of LAB.

The useful applications of LAB are:

  1. Conversion of milk to curd – During growth, LAB produce acids that coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins.
  2. Improving nutritional quality – They increase the vitamin B₁₂ content in curd.
  3. Checking disease-causing microbes – In our stomach, LAB play a beneficial role in controlling harmful microbes.
  4. Industrial production of lactic acid – LAB are used commercially for producing lactic acid.
Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 3 | (Page 11)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The question asks for two things: (i) the food source of LAB, and (ii) their applications. From the textbook Section 8.1, LAB are found in milk where they convert it to curd. Their applications include coagulating milk proteins, increasing vitamin B12, controlling disease-causing microbes in the stomach, and industrial lactic acid production (Section 8.2.3). This is a 3-mark question requiring both parts to be addressed.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify the food source of LAB from context - milk/curd

  2. Step 2: List applications - coagulating proteins, increasing vitamin B12, checking harmful microbes, industrial lactic acid production

  3. Step 3: Format as a concise exam answer with key terms highlighted

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