Question

Assertion (A): Modified atmospheric packaging using CO2 to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. Reason (R): The CO2 encourage the growth of spoilage microorganisms by altering intracellular pH.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Remember that CO2's role in MAP is to inhibit microbial growth rather than encourage it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Concept
Modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) involves altering the composition of gases in a package to extend the shelf life of food products. Commonly used gases include CO2, N2, and O2.

Step 2: Meaning
Assertion (A): Modified atmospheric packaging using CO2 to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. This statement suggests that CO2 is used as part of MAP techniques to enhance the freshness and longevity of perishable items by changing their storage environment's gas composition. Reason (R): The CO2 encourage the growth of spoilage microorganisms by altering intracellular pH. This statement implies that CO2 promotes microbial growth in food products, which would be detrimental to extending shelf life.

Step 3: Analysis
CO2 is often used in MAP because it has antimicrobial properties. It can inhibit the growth of many types of bacteria and fungi by creating an environment with a lower oxygen content, thereby reducing their metabolic activity. Additionally, CO2 can slightly increase the acidity (lower pH) inside food products, which also helps to inhibit microbial growth. The statement (R) is incorrect because CO2 does not encourage the growth of spoilage microorganisms; rather, it inhibits their growth by altering conditions that are unfavorable for them. Therefore, using CO2 in MAP actually supports the assertion (A).

Step 4: Conclusion
Given this analysis, the correct interpretation is that while both statements can be true individually, statement R is not a valid explanation for why CO2 is used in modified atmospheric packaging. Final Answer: (C)