Q. Explain the Use of nitrates and nitrites in microorganisms?
The use of nitrates and nitrites has been widely used in the curing of meat. The reduction of nitrates by bacteria produces nitrites under acid conditions created by meat. Recent research has pointed out that nitrites can react with secondary and tertiary amines to form nitrosoarnines which have been known to be carcinogenic to humans. This is alarming. The use of nitrites as an inhibitory agent against Clostridium botulinum in meat products is well established.