Certified Cheese Professional Practice Exam

What are thermoduric bacteria known for?

1. Bacteria that grow at room temperature

2. Bacteria that survive pasteurization

3. Bacteria that are destroyed by pasteurization

4. Bacteria that thrive in acidic environments

The correct answer is: Bacteria that survive pasteurization

Thermoduric bacteria are specifically known for their ability to survive the high temperatures associated with pasteurization. This characteristic allows them to endure the heat treatment process designed to eliminate harmful pathogens and spoilage organisms in food products, especially dairy. While pasteurization significantly reduces the microbial load, thermoduric bacteria can persist in products like milk after this process, which can pose challenges for food safety and product shelf life. Their resilience highlights the importance of understanding microbial behavior in food processing to ensure quality and safety. The other options, while they describe different types of bacteria, do not accurately represent the unique characteristics of thermoduric bacteria. For instance, bacteria that thrive at room temperature or grow in acidic environments pertain to different classifications and behaviors among microorganisms, and those that are destroyed by pasteurization directly contradict the definition of thermoduric bacteria. Understanding the distinct properties of thermoduric bacteria is crucial in dairy science and food safety practices.