Bacteria can be responsible for the spoilage of food. When bacteria breaks down the food, acids and other waste products are created in the process.While the bacteria itself may or may not be harmful, the waste products may be unpleasant to taste or may even be harmful to one's health.
Some examples of bacterial food spoilage are listed below--
- Greening of meat surface is caused by Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc.
- Salmonellosis in poultry and eggs is caused bySalmonella.
- Black rot of eggs is caused by Pseudomonas.
- Red dot of eggs is caused by Serratina marcescens.
- Ropy bread(having soft and cheesy texture with long stringy threads is caused by Bacillus .
- Souring of milk is caused by Lactobacillus andStreptococcus .
- Explosion of curd (gas production) is caused by Clostridium and Coliform bacteria.
- Ropiness (i.e., slimy milk) is caused by Klebsiella sp. Enterobacter spp.