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Honey that has high concentration of sugar does not decay because
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- Bacteria cannot survive in an active state as it is totally deprived of oxygen
- It contains natural antioxidant that prevents bacterial attack
- Bacteria cannot survive in an active state in a solution of high osmotic strength as water is drawn out
- None of these
- Bacteria cannot survive in an active state as it is totally deprived of oxygen
Correct Option: C
The reason why bacteria doesnot grow in high concentration of sugar is because of sugar’s high osmotic and dehydrating effects. Sugar, whether in solid or aqueous form, attempts to reach equilibrium with the sugar content of the food product with which it is in contact. This has the effect of drawing avail able water from within the food to the outside and inserting sugar molecules into the food interior. The result is a reduction of the so-called product water activity (aw), a measure of unbound, free water molecules in the food that is necessary for microbial survival and growth.Sugar’s other antimicrobial mechanisms include interference with a microbe’s enzyme activity and weakening the molecular structure of its DNA (Scientific American Journal).
