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Welcome to this class! This is an introduction to the principles of food microbiology. We will investigate the benficial and harmful effects of microorganisms on food. We will survey the different ypes of microbes-bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses, protozoans, and helminths- as well as how to identify and detect them. We will describe and practice methods for counting them and conditions in which they grow. That will help inform our discussion of how to prevent them from growing- or, in some cases, how to enhance their growth.

Food safety is a related discipline that overlaps the subject of food microbiology, and we will have the opportunity to discuss some of that overlap.

Laboratory techniques include pure culture technique, sampling, microbial identification, enumeration, evaluation of physiological processes, and manipulating the environments in which microbes grow. Laboratory exercises will be posted on this site. Please download and print them before class.

Here are some review questions for the lab final, as well as a summary of the biochemical results. Be sure to bring this to lab on Wednesday so we can review.

For the lecture final next Wednesday, please be sure you have read and understood all of the study questions, homework assignments, and quizzes we have completed so far. The lecture on control of microbial growth is pretty self-explanatory so I don't have any new questions for that. We will discuss the final in lecture tomorrow. Remember to bring everything with you that you will need for the exams. (Bring it in hard copy, by the way; no electronic devices will be allowed.)

October 20, 2012. Here is Cathy's presentation on her sauerkraut study. Also, in answer to a question on the review about the metabolism results, the "K" stands for alkaline results. (We did not actually see any of those in our students, which is why it didn't come up earlier.)

Also, the last column in Table 1 does refer to Simmons citrate results. The other tables describe what positive and negative results actually look like. For example, if the question was, "The Simmons citrate tube turned blue. Does the microbe utilize citrate?" the answer is yes.

A final word, folks. If you lab notes are complete and you recorded all of your results conpletely, you have all the information you need to complete the exam. If you're not sure how to interpret some of your notes, ask!

ABT-135 syllabus Fall 2012

Homework due Sept. 12

Review questions for quiz of Sept. 12

Homework due Sept. 19

Homework due Sept. 26

Homework 4 due October 3

Review questions for quiz of October 10. P.S> I forgot to put grwoth curves on the review sheet, but you should know those!

Homework 5 due October 10

Hello everyone! A few words about the quiz of Sept. 12. It is not open note. The final will be, but the quiz is too short for that. Several of you have been emailing me with questions, and please feel free to do so! We will take a few minutes at the beginning of class to go over questions as well. Relax!

Here are the final grades for the class. It was a pleasure working with you this semester.

PowerPoint lectures

Introduction to food microbiology
"Ecology of food;" intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting growth
How to find and count microbes

Food spoilage
Foodborne pathogens
Control of microbial growth in food

Laboratory exercises

1. Aseptic technique (with apologies that some of the photographs did not transfer)
2. The Microscope
3. RODAC plates
3. Simple staining
4. Gram staining
5. Sample preparation and enumeration (counting) of bacteria
6. Evaluation of effectiveness of disinfectants
7. Detection of coliforms
8. Endospore lab
9. Fermentation tests
10. Catabolism tests
11. Environmental parameters