Fermented foods play a major role in human nutrition and health, given the addition of flavor, improvement of texture, preservation against spoilage, and ease of digestion due to the fermentation process. This book provides information about the chemistry and bioactive compounds of African fermented food products, including their nutritional value and minor constituents. Chapters cover a wide range of topics, from the microorganisms involved in spontaneous fermentation to food safety considerations and quality assessment. The text can be used as a practical manual to better understand the nutritional and medicinal uses of various African fermented foods, as well as prepare recipes and product labels.

From time immemorial fermented foods have undoubtedly contributed to the progress of modern societies. Historically, ferments have been present in virtually all human cultures worldwide, and nowadays natives from many ancient cultures still conduct a wide variety of food fermentations using deep-rooted recipes and processes. Within the last four centuries, scientific research has started to unravel many aspects of the biological process behind fermentations, which has contributed to the improvement of many industrial processes. During our journey in the research field, we have always been attracted to the development of scientific research around fermentations, especially autochthonous ferments: a natural repository of novel biomolecules and biological processes that will positively impact on many application fields from health, to food, to materials.

While many food science programs offer courses in the microbiology and processing of fermented foods, no recently published texts exist that fully address the subject. Food fermentation professionals and researchers also have lacked a single book that covers the latest advances in biotechnology, bioprocessing, and microbial genetics, physiology, and taxonomy. In Microbiology and Technology of Fermented Foods, Robert Hutkins has written the first text on food fermentation microbiology in a generation. This authoritative volume also serves as a comprehensive and contemporary reference book. A brief history and evolution of microbiology and fermented foods, an overview of microorganisms involved in food fermentations, and their physiological and metabolic properties provide a foundation for the reader. How microorganisms are used to produce fermented foods and the development of a modern starter culture industry are also described. Successive chapters are devoted to the major fermented foods produced around the world with coverage including microbiological and technological features for manufacture of these foods: Cultured Dairy Products Cheese Meat Fermentation Fermented Vegetables Bread Fermentation Beer Fermentation Wine Fermentation Vinegar Fermentation Fermentation of Foods in the Orient Examples of industrial processes, key historical events, new discoveries in microbiology, anecdotal materials, case studies, and other key information are highlighted throughout the book. Comprehensively written in a style that encourages critical thinking, Microbiology and Technology of Fermented Foods will appeal to anyone dealing in food fermentation – students, professors, researchers, and industry professionals.

The age-old practice of food fermentation is enjoying a well-earned renaissance. As knowledge around the importance of our gut microbiota has grown, so too has the evidence that fermented foods can help support a healthy gastrointestinal tract, boost the immune system and even improve mood. This is due to both the probiotic microbes they contain, and the enhanced nutritional value of fermented foods themselves. In this comprehensive guide, fermentation specialist Caroline Gilmartin delves into the processes and mechanisms involved in both wild and cultured fermentation, examining the microbes involved, parameters for optimal fermentation and what happens if you alter them. Topics covered include the importance of the microbiota; gut health; milk and water kefir; yoghurt; kombucha; vegetable fermentations; appetizing recipes; suggested flavour combinations and finally, safety measures and troubleshooting.

This book presents new and important research in the field of food microbiology. Included in the scope are the following: physiology, genetics, biochemistry, and behaviour of micro-organisms; effects of preservatives, processes, and packaging systems on the microbiology of foods; methods for detection, identification and enumeration of food-borne micro-organisms or microbial toxins; microbiology of food fermentations; predictive microbiology; microbial ecology of foods; microbiological aspects of food safety and microbiological aspects of food spoilage and quality.