Explain with scientific reasons how differences in the concentration of substances and temperature affect the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Answer 1

Temperature can affect the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by increasing or decreasing the capability of microbes to grow and multiply. Microbes help decompose fruits and vegetables and have optimal growing temperatures and conditions. For example, molds grow best in 20-35 degrees Celsius, depending on the type of mold.

The concentration of substances, for example preservatives, can also affect the growth of microbes. With time the concentrations decrease and can create a favorable growing condition for microorganisms. Depending on the substance/preservative certain concentrations are optimal for longer shelf lives of fruits and vegetables, and shelf life, as well as antimicrobial effectiveness testing is important to determine the optimal concentration for the intended expiration date of the product.