Eli5: If salt is used to cure and preserve food why is ocean water full of bacteria?
In: Biology
Bacteria come in a lot of varieties, some of them thriving in extreme conditions–also, the relative amount of salt and *moisture* in each case is quite different. Regardless, the bacteria in salt water is likely not the same bacteria you’re trying to avoid with food preservation, nor is it an indefinite preservation method to my knowledge. But really, I think the moisture part is a huge part of the equation–life generally depends on water. If it can’t bring its own or collect it from its surroundings, it’s unlikely to thrive. Add to that most microorganisms aren’t adapted for extreme salt conditions, and there you go.
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