The use of microorganisms and their metabolites for the preservation of foods began in prehistory. Lactic acid bacteria are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for this purpose. They produce organic acids, diacetyl, acetoin, hydrogen peroxide, reuterin, reutericyclin and bacteriocins, all of which inhibit foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. Bacteriocins and the strains that produce them are particularly effective as bio-preservatives in cheese, meat and vegetables. They hold the promise of ensuring the quality and safety of ready-to-eat, extended-shelf-life, fresh-tasting and minimally processed foods without chemical preservatives. This Research Topic provides an overview of bacterial cultures, bacteriocins and other metabolites that have shown promise for use as antimicrobial bio-preservatives in foods in general. Articles describing novel analytical technologies, strategies to reduce or eliminate pathogens in food systems or emerging technologies for the production or use of protective cultures or their bacteriocins are presented.

Consumers favour foods with fewer synthetic additives, but products must also be safe to eat and have a sufficiently long shelf-life. Biopreservation, the use of a product's natural microflora and its antibacterial products for protection against pathogens and spoilage, is a method of growing interest for the safe production of high quality minimally-processed foods. This book provides an essential overview of key topics in this area. Initial chapters review central aspects in food biopreservation, including the identification of new protective cultures and antimicrobial culture components, existing commercial fermentates including nisin and natamycin and the potential of novel fermentates and bacteriophages to improve food safety. Part II concentrates on the use of protective cultures, bacteriocins and bacteriophages to control the carriage of pathogenic microorganisms in food animals and to modulate human gut microflora. Chapters in the final section of the book review biopreservation of different types of foods, including milk and dairy products, fermented meats, fresh seafood and fruit. A review of active packaging for food biopreservation completes the volume. Edited by a leading expert, Protective cultures, antimicrobial metabolites and bacteriophages for food and beverage biopreservation is a fundamental reference for researchers and food industry professionals working to ensure the safety of the food supply.

Bacteriocins are a heterogeneous group of peptides or proteins with antimicrobial activity synthesised ribosomally and released extracellularly by bacteria belonging to nearly all taxonomic groups. These are classified according to their genetic, structural and biochemical characteristics. Use of bacteriocinogenic cultures to improve the safety of food products would represent an attractive alternative to the use of chemical preservatives, based on the long history of safe use of naturally occurring bacteriocin producing food-grade bacteria. Chapter One in this book discusses the effects of bacteriocin production in situ by bacteria in food products and evidence for the probiotic properties of bacteriocin producers are collected in order to identify processes in which the application of bacteriocinogenic cultures can be effectively implemented. Chapter Two examines the importance of the use of bacteriocins in food preservation and also their potential use in human health. Chapter Three discusses a broad range of bacteriocin applications focusing not only on food biopreservation but also on biofilm control. Chapter Four reviews the recent applications of bacteriocin-producing PC in meats and meat products throughout the world. Chapter Five evaluates the effect of mild pressure treatments in the survival of Pediococcus acidilactici HA-6111-2 and on its bacteriocin production capacity.

The control of microbiological spoilage requires an understanding of a number of factors including the knowledge of possible hazards, their likely occurrence in different products, their physiological properties and the availability and effectiveness of different preventative measures. Food spoilage microorganisms focuses on the control of microbial spoilage and provides an understanding necessary to do this.The first part of this essential new book looks at tools, techniques and methods for the detection and analysis of microbial food spoilage with chapters focussing on analytical methods, predictive modelling and stability and shelf life assessment. The second part tackles the management of microbial food spoilage with particular reference to some of the major food groups where the types of spoilage, the causative microorganisms and methods for control are considered by product type. The following three parts are then dedicated to yeasts, moulds and bacteria in turn, and look in more detail at the major organisms of significance for food spoilage. In each chapter the taxonomy, spoilage characteristics, growth, survival and death characteristics, methods for detection and control options are discussed.Food spoilage microorganisms takes an applied approach to the subject and is an indispensable guide both for the microbiologist and the non-specialist, particularly those whose role involves microbial quality in food processing operations. - Looks at tools, techniques and methods for the detection and analysis of microbial food spoilage - Discusses the management control of microbial food spoilage - Looks in detail at yeasts, moulds and bacteria

Bacteriocins of Lactic Acid Bacteria is based on the 1990 Annual Meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists held in Dallas, Texas. It describes a number of well-characterized bacteriocins and, where possible, discusses practical applications for those that have been defined thus far from the lactic acid bacteria. The book begins with an introductory overview of naturally occurring antibacterial compounds. This is followed by discussions of methods of detecting bacteriocins and biochemical procedures for extraction and purification; genetics and cellular regulation of bacteriocins; bacteriocins based on the genera of lactic acid bacteria Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Leuconostoc, and related bacteria such as Carnobacterium and Propionibacterium; and the regulatory and political aspects for commercial use of these substances. The final chapter sets out the prognosis for the future of this dynamic area. The information contained in this book should benefit those with interest in the potential for industrial use of bacteriocins as preservative ingredients. Anyone interested in lactic acid bacteria or the biosynthesis, regulation, and mechanisms of inhibition of these proteinaceous compounds will also appreciate the material presented. These include food scientists, microbiologists, food processors and product physiologists, food toxicologists, and food and personal product regulators.

Advances in Dairy Product Science & Technology offers a comprehensive review of the most innovative scientific knowledge in the dairy food sector. Edited and authored by noted experts from academic and industry backgrounds, this book shows how the knowledge from strategic and applied research can be utilized by the commercial innovation of dairy product manufacture and distribution. Topics explored include recent advances in the dairy sector, such as raw materials and milk processing, environmental impact, economic concerns and consumer acceptance. The book includes various emerging technologies applied to milk and starter cultures sources, strategic options for their use, their characterization, requirements, starter growth and delivery and other ingredients used in the dairy industry. The text also outlines a framework on consumer behavior that can help to determine quality perception of food products and decision-making. Consumer insight techniques can help support the identification of market opportunities and represent a useful mean to test product prototypes before final launch. This comprehensive resource: Assesses the most innovative scientific knowledge in the dairy food sector Reviews the latest technological developments relevant for dairy companies Covers new advances across a range of topics including raw material processing, starter cultures for fermented products, processing and packaging Examines consumer research innovations in the dairy industry Written for dairy scientists, other dairy industry professionals, government agencies, educators and students, Advances in Dairy Product Science & Technology includes vital information on the most up-to-date and scientifically sound research in the field.

Fundamentals of Food Biotechnology Food biotechnology is the application of modern biotechnological techniques to the manufacture and processing of food; for example, through fermentation of food (which is the oldest biotechnological process) and food additives, as well as plant and animal cell cultures. New developments in fermentation and enzyme technological processes, molecular thermodynamics, genetic engineering, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, bioengineering, and processes involving monoclonal antibodies, nanobiotechnology and quorum sensing have introduced exciting new dimensions to food biotechnology, a burgeoning field that transcends many scientific disciplines. Fundamentals of Food Biotechnology, 2nd edition is based on the author’s 25 years of experience in teaching on a food biotechnology course at McGill University in Canada. The book will appeal to professional food scientists as well as graduate and advanced undergraduate students by addressing the latest exciting food biotechnology research in areas such as genetically modified foods (GMOs), bioenergy, bioplastics, functional foods/ nutraceuticals, nanobiotechnology, quorum sensing and quenching. In addition, cloning techniques for bacterial and yeast enzymes are included in a “New Trends and Tools” section and selected references, questions, and answers appear at the end of each chapter. This new edition has been comprehensively rewritten and restructured to reflect the new technologies, products, and trends that have emerged since the original book. Many new aspects highlight the short- and longer-term commercial potential of food biotechnology. Food Biochemistry and Food Processing, 2nd Edition Edited by Benjamin K. Simpson, Leo M.L. Nollet, Fidel Toldra, et al. ISBN 978-0-8138-0874-1 Food Processing: Principles and Applications, 2nd Edition Edited by Stephanie Clark (Editor), Stephanie Jung, Buddhi Lamsal ISBN 978-0-470-67114-6

Food processing is expected to affect content, activity and bioavailability of nutrients; the health-promoting capacity of food products depends on their processing history. Traditional technologies, such as the use of antimicrobials and thermal processing, are efficient in increasing nutritional value to an extent, though they may not be effective at addressing food safety, particularly when it comes to maintaining the food's molecular structure. Modern food processing plants improve the quality of life for people with allergies, diabetics, and others who cannot consume some common food elements. Food processing can also add extra nutrients, such as vitamins. Processed foods are often less susceptible to early spoilage than fresh foods and are better suited for long-distance transportation from the source to the consumer. However, food processing can also decrease the nutritional value of foods and introduce hazards not encountered with naturally occurring products. Processed foods often include food additives, such as flavourings and texture-enhancing agents, which may have little or no nutritive value, and may in fact be unhealthy. This book deals with the subject of food processing in a unique way, providing an overview not only of current techniques in food processing and preservation (i.e., dairy, meat, cereal, vegetables, fruits and juice processing, etc.) but also the health and safety aspects: food technologies that improve nutritional quality of foods, functional foods, and nanotechnology in the food and agriculture industry. The text also looks into the future by defining current bottlenecks and future research goals. This work will serve as a ready reference for the subject matter to students and researchers alike.

Probiotic Dairy Products, 2nd Edition The updated guide to the most current research and developments in probiotic dairy products The thoroughly revised and updated second edition of Probiotic Dairy Products reviews the recent advancements in the dairy industry and includes the latest scientific developments in regard to the 'functional' aspects of dairy and fermented milk products and their ingredients. Since the publication of the first edition of this text, there have been incredible advances in the knowledge and understanding of the human microbiota, mainly due to the development and use of new molecular analysis techniques. This new edition includes information on the newest developments in the field. It offers information on the new ‘omic’ technologies that have been used to detect and analyse all the genes, proteins and metabolites of individuals’ gut microbiota. The text also includes a description of the history of probiotics and explores the origins of probiotic products and the early pioneers in this field. Other chapters in this resource provide valuable updates on genomic analysis of probiotic strains and aspects of probiotic products’ production and quality control. This important resource: Offers a completely revised and updated edition to the text that covers the topic of probiotic dairy products Contains 4 brand new chapters on the following topics: the history of probiotics, prebiotic components, probiotic research, and the production of vitamins, exopolysaccharides (EPS), and bacteriocins Features a new co-editor and a host of new contributors, that offer the latest research findings and expertise Is the latest title in Wiley's Society of Dairy Technology Technical Series Probiotic Dairy Products is an essential resource for dairy scientists, dairy technologists and nutritionists. The text includes the results of the most reliable research in field and offers informed views on the future of, and barriers to, the progress for probiotic dairy products.

As antibacterial compounds, bacteriocins have always lived in the shadow of those medically important, efficient and often broad-spectrum low-molecular mass antimicrobials, well known even to laypeople as antibiotics. This is despite the fact that bacteriocins were discovered as early as 1928, a year before the penicillin saga started. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial proteins or oligopeptides, displaying a much narrower activity spectrum than antibiotics; they are mainly active against bacterial strains taxonomically closely related to the producer strain, which is usually immune to its own bacteriocin. They form a heterogenous group with regard to the taxonomy of the producing bacterial strains, mode of action, inhibitory spectrum and protein structure and composition. Best known are the colicins and microcins produced by Enterobacteriaceae. Many other Gram-negative as well as Gram-positive bacteria have now been found to produce bacteriocins. In the last decade renewed interest has focused on the bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria, which are industrially and agriculturally very important. Some of these compounds are even active against food spoilage bacteria and endospore formers and also against certain clinically important (food-borne) pathogens. Recently, bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria have been studied intensively from every possible scientific angle: microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and food technology. Intelligent screening is going on to find novel compounds with unexpected properties, just as has happened (and is still happening) with the antibiotics. Knowledge, especially about bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria, is accumulating very rapidly.