Question

Curing of Tea leaves is accomplished by
A. Viruses
B. Fungi
C. Mycorrhiza
D.Bacteria.

Answer 1

Hint:Curing of tea leaves involves frying of leaves and losing its color. The microorganism which is used for this curing process is antagonistic to a quantity of fungal pathogens in vitro and used to reduce sclerotal blight of tea caused by sclerotium.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, first, we need to know about the process of curing. Curing is an oxidation dry fermentation process which is required to eliminate the harshness and bitterness of tea. In this dry fermentation reaction water is driven off, the green color is lost and leaves assume a rough texture and undergo chemical changes. Based on the degree and type of bacteria used for fermentation and duration, different types of tea are formed.

Now, let us find the answer from the option.
>Fungi and viruses do not participate in the curing method of tea leaves.
>Mycorrhiza is a mutually beneficial association between fungi and the roots of higher plants. Viruses and fungi are not involved in the curing process of tea leaves.
>Curing of tea leaves is the secondary fermentation process which is done to increase the drinking potential and remove the bitterness and harshness by adding aromas and flavour to the tea leaves. It is carried out by the activity of Bacillus megaterium.

Thus, the correct option is D i.e. Bacteria.

Note:Curing process enhanced the flavor, color, tenderness, and shelf life of a meat by using smoke, spices and chemicals. This process involves making a finished product out of a raw material by using heat or chemicals, such as tanned leather or vulcanized rubber. It also causes the loss of a plasmid from a bacterial culture or the loss of a dormant virus which has inserted itself into the bacterial genome (a lysogenic virus).