This book provides all facets of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) and offers the future targets and directions of AAB research. It summarizes the distinctive physiological properties of AAB and the recent progress on AAB study, especially in the following five areas: 1) Molecular phylogeny and genome study of AAB; 2) Ecological features of AAB: interaction with plants, natural fermentation systems, and insects; 3) Physiological features and living strategies of AAB, including rapid oxidation ability, acid resistance, biofilm formation, and genetic instability; 4) Molecular mechanisms of several oxidative fermentations such as acetate fermentation, sorbose fermentation, and ketogluconate fermentation; 5) Recent biotechnological aspects of AAB: biocatalysts, biosensors, biocellulose, and other useful polysaccharides. AAB research has a long history since the discovery of AAB by Louis Pasteur and the identification of AAB by Martinus Beijerinck in the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, basic research on the taxonomic study of AAB and on biochemical study for the unique oxidative reactions of AAB had progressed as well as the industrial application of AAB not only in vinegar fermentation but also in the bioconversion process for useful chemical or pharmaceutical products. Entering the twenty-first century, AAB research has expanded more, and further progress is expected to be seen in all fields of AAB: classification and ecology, physiology and biochemistry, genetics, and biotechnology of vinegar fermentation and other oxidative fermentations. Far-reaching development in the last decade makes these bacteria more valuable for various industrial uses. Readers can obtain useful and comprehensive information which is exciting in aspects of basic science and provides hints for the better application of these bacteria to various kinds of practical production scenarios as well.

This book, written by leading international authorities in the field, covers all the basic and applied aspects of acetic acid bacteria. It describes the importance of acetic acid bacteria in food industry by giving information on the microbiological properties of fermented foods as well as production procedures. Special attention is given to vinegar and cocoa, which are the most familiar and extensively used industrial applications of acetic acid bacteria. This book is an essential reference to all scientists, technologists, engineers, students and all those working in the field of food science and technology.

Molecular Wine Microbiology features rigorous scientific content written at a level comprehensible for wine professionals as well as advanced students. It includes information on production and spoilage issues, the microbial groups relevant for wine production and microbial wine safety. Microbiology has long been recognized as a key tool in studying wine production, however only recently have wine microbiology studies been addressed at a molecular level, increasing the understanding of how microbiology impacts not only the flavor quality of the wine, but also its safety. Understanding, at a molecular level, how a starter culture can impact ethanol, glycerol, volatile phenols, mannoproteins, biogenic amines or ochratoxin A of a wine are just some of the core points that must be considered in order to achieve maximium consumer acceptability while addressing safety concerns during processing and storage. While other books offer insights into the technological aspects of enology, this book is written by expert microbiologists, who explore the positive and negative impacts of gene function in the production of wine, from a microbiological point of view. - Winner of the 2012 Jury Award in Enology from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine - Presents the most current methods of studying the microbiology of wine - Includes latest identification and typing methods, reducing identification time from days and weeks to minutes and hours - Provides important knowledge about the impact of microbiological factors at the molecular level for reduction of wine spoilage and increased wine quality and safety

Vinegars can be considered as acidic products of special importance for the enri- ment of our diet, and resulting from the desired or controlled oxidation of ethanol containing (liquid) substrates. The traditional use and integration of vinegars in numerous cultures can be traced back to ancient times. In fact, the cultural heritage of virtually every civilization includes one or more vinegars made by the souring action (of micro-organisms) following alcoholic fermentation. It has been do- mented that the Egyptians, Sumerians and Babylonians had experience and tech- cal knowledge in making vinegar from barley and any kind of fruit. Vinegar was very popular both in ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used in food prepa- tions and as remedy against a great number of diseases. In Asia, the first records about vinegar date back to the Zhou Dynasty (1027-221 BC) and probably China’s ancient rice wines may have originally been derived from fruit, for which (malted) rice was substituted later. The historical and geographical success of vinegars is mainly due to the low technology required for their production, and to the fact that several kinds of raw materials rich in sugars may easily be processed to give vinegar. In addition, vi- gars are well-known and accepted as safe and stable commodities that can be c- sumed as beverages, health drinks or added to food as preservatives or as flavo- ing agents.

The second edition of the book begins with the description of the diversity of wine-related microorganisms, followed by an outline of their primary and energy metabolism. Subsequently, important aspects of the secondary metabolism are dealt with, since these activities have an impact on wine quality and off-flavour formation. Then chapters about stimulating and inhibitory growth factors follow. This knowledge is helpful for the growth management of different microbial species. The next chapters focus on the application of the consolidated findings of molecular biology and regulation the functioning of regulatory cellular networks, leading to a better understanding of the phenotypic behaviour of the microbes in general and especially of the starter cultures as well as of stimulatory and inhibitory cell-cell interactions during wine making. In the last part of the book, a compilation of modern methods complete the understanding of microbial processes during the conversion of must to wine.This broad range of topics about the biology of the microbes involved in the vinification process could be provided in one book only because of the input of many experts from different wine-growing countries.

The Microbiological Quality of Food: Foodborne Spoilers covers the microbiological spoilage of foods, with a focus on the spoilers, the foods themselves, and the signs of spoilage. The book addresses traditional spoilers (filamentous fungi, spore-forming bacteria, yeasts, SSO in fish), as well as some emerging spoilers (Pseudomonas), now recognized as primary targets. Sections also provide a brief overview of important foods (vegetables, milk and dairy products, meat, and fish) and addresses safety and economic loss. Details on the signs of spoilage, how to prevent spoilers, and methods of detecting spoilage and spoilage microorganisms in foods are also presented. This is an authoritative reference for researchers, scientists and students who need to understand microbial spoilage, the impact of biofilm on the quality and safety of many foods, and the implications of biofilm for spoilage and shelf life. Hot topics covered by this book include the possible link between food spoilage and food safety as a consequence of antibiotic resistance spreading all over the world. - Presents Definitions: taxonomy, definition of food spoilage according to the literature and regulatory frameworks - Provides Case Studies: for some foods and emerging spoilers, along with examples of how to prolong the shelf life - Includes Calculations/worked examples: models and practical examples to calculate the shelf life of foods and to design and effective method to inhibit spoilers

When I undertook the production of the First Edition of this book it was my first foray into the world of book editing, and I had no idea of what I was undertaking! I was not entirely alone in this, as in asking me to produce such a book the commissioning Editor, Mr George Olley of Elsevier Ap plied Science Publishers, had pictured a text of perhaps 300 pages, but on seeing my list of chapter titles realized that we were talking about a - chapter, two-volume work. We eventually decided to go ahead with it, and the result was more successful than either of us had dared to hope could be It was therefore with rather mixed emotions that I contemplated the case. a second edition at the suggestion of Blackie Press, who had taken over the title from Elsevier. On the one hand, I was naturally flattered that the book was considered important enough to justify a second edition. On the other hand, I was very well aware that the task would be even greater this time.