Question

Which of the following methods of microbial control is mismatched?

Select one:

a. Exposure of surgical equipment to ultraviolet light - radiation

b. Pickling eggs - osmotic pressure

c. Autoclaving nutrient agar before pouring into Petri plates - sterilization

d. Heating a liquid to 71.6 degrees C for 15 seconds - pasteurization

Answer 1

b. Pickling eggs - osmotic pressure.

All the other options are matching because the procedure mentioned is named properly. Whereas, pickling of eggs has nothing to do with osmotic pressure. The process of pickling of eggs is, boiling the eggs and then removing its hard cover. Boiling kills microbes in the eggs. After that, these eggs (without cover) are pickled in vinegar solution. Thus they are preserved for days or months. The pH of this solution is less than 4.6 which is sufficient to kill most of the microbes.