Final answer:
For preserving chops, a highly concentrated salt solution is recommended due to its ability to dehydrate and prevent bacterial growth through high osmotic pressure, leading to the safety and preservation of the food.Answer is option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
When preserving chops, it is recommended to use A highly concentrated salt solution. This method leverages the effect of osmotic pressure to prevent bacterial growth by dehydrating and inhibiting the multiplication of any bacteria that might not have been killed during initial processing. Similar to the preservation technique used for fruits with sugar to keep them from spoiling, a strong salt concentration creates a hostile environment for most microorganisms, thanks to the dehydration effect. However, certain halophiles, or salt-loving microorganisms, do thrive in such conditions, but typical food spoilage bacteria cannot survive in the high-osmotic-pressure environment of a heavily salted solution.
Meat preservation through the use of high salt concentrations, such as in brines and layering meats with salt, is a traditional practice acknowledged for its efficacy. The principle is further explained by the fact that high osmotic pressure resulting from such saline environments forces water to flow out of bacterial cells, leading to plasmolysis which can cause cell death. Therefore, for the purpose of preservation and safety, chops should be kept in a highly concentrated salt solution.