Lactic acid fermentation has been practiced for thousands of years mainly to preserve surplus and perishable foodstuff and also to enhance them organoleptically. Lactic acid fermentation of fruits and vegetables is no exception, leading to the production of a wide range of products, some of which are now considered as characteristic of certain geographical areas and cultures. The aim of this book is to collect, present, and discuss all available information regarding lactic acid fermentation of fruits and vegetables. For this purpose, an international group of experts was invited to contribute their knowledge and experience in a highly informative and comprehensive way. The book consists of fourteen chapters. The first five chapters integrate aspects that apply to all products. Then, chapters 6 to 9 are dedicated to products that have met commercial significance and have been extensively studied, i.e. sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented cucumbers and olives. In chapters 10 to 13, regional products with great potential from Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as lactic acid fermented juices and smoothies, are presented and thoroughly discussed. Finally, chapter 14 discusses the fields in which intensive study is expected to take place in the coming years.

With the advances in the field of molecular biology, new tools make it possible to conduct in-depth studies in food microbial communities from a molecular perspective. Information from genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic studies can be integrated through bioinformatic applications, thereby improving our understanding of the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors and concomitantly the physiology of starter cultures, spoilage and pathogenic microbiota. Improvements in the speed, accuracy and reliability of food quality and safety assessment have made the foundation stronger for future developments including the exploitation of gene networks and applications of nanotechnology and systems biology. This book reviews all these developments, provides an integrated view of the subject and helps in identifying areas of future development.

With the advances in the field of molecular biology, new tools make it possible to conduct in-depth studies in food microbial communities from a molecular perspective. Information from genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic studies can be integrated through bioinformatic applications, thereby improving our understanding of the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors and concomitantly the physiology of starter cultures, spoilage and pathogenic microbiota. Improvements in the speed, accuracy and reliability of food quality and safety assessment have made the foundation stronger for future developments including the exploitation of gene networks and applications of nanotechnology and systems biology. This book reviews all these developments, provides an integrated view of the subject and helps in identifying areas of future development.

Lactic Acid Bacteria as Cell Factories: Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering describes the most recent developments on the metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) for production of biologically active biomolecules (enzymes, organic acids, bacteriocins, bioactive peptides, etc.), recombinant proteins, and their role in bioremediation. The book focuses on synthetic biology and metabolic engineering for the production of biologically active molecules such as bioactive peptides, polysaccharides, vitamins (Riboflavin), enzymes, organic acids (lactic and gamma-aminobutyric acid), flavor and aroma compounds, bacteriocins, recombinant proteins, etc. Individual chapters are devoted to the production of biosurfactants and their applications and the bioremediation of heavy metals by LAB from aquatic environments. Two critical chapters address Genome editing of LAB: opportunities for food, feed and pharmaceuticals and A synthetic biology approach for plasmid DNA and Recombinant protein production. This book will be a valuable resource for those working in biology, biotechnology, biological engineering, chemical engineering, microbiology, food science and technology, genetics and synthetic biology.

Lactic Acid Bacteria in Food Biotechnology: Innovations and Functional Aspects describes the latest advancements in LAB applications in the development of functional foods and fermented foods, biotechnological products using LAB, i.e., bio chemicals (organic acids, bacteriocins, etc.), bioactive and functional biomolecules, comparative genomics of probiotic LAB, and genetically modified LAB in food industry. Bridging the gap between LAB-mediated fermented foods and bioactive compounds, vis-a-vis molecular aspects, this book enables the transition from research to application. The book details applications of LAB in fermented/functional foods including cereals, vegetables, fish, meat cheese, other dairy products, and much more. Other sections cover their biochemistry and biotechnology aspects, bio preservation by bio molecules produced by LAB, bioactive metabolites and biosurfactants, including their value in health and wellness and exploring the genomics of LAB from food to health. Finally, the book addresses genetically modified lactic acid bacteria in food and beverages.

Lactic acid fermentation has been practiced for thousands of years mainly to preserve surplus and perishable foodstuff and also to enhance them organoleptically. Lactic acid fermentation of fruits and vegetables is no exception, leading to the production of a wide range of products, some of which are now considered as characteristic of certain geographical areas and cultures. The aim of this book is to collect, present, and discuss all available information regarding lactic acid fermentation of fruits and vegetables. For this purpose, an international group of experts was invited to contribute their knowledge and experience in a highly informative and comprehensive way. The book consists of fourteen chapters. The first five chapters integrate aspects that apply to all products. Then, chapters 6 to 9 are dedicated to products that have met commercial significance and have been extensively studied, i.e. sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented cucumbers and olives. In chapters 10 to 13, regional products with great potential from Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as lactic acid fermented juices and smoothies, are presented and thoroughly discussed. Finally, chapter 14 discusses the fields in which intensive study is expected to take place in the coming years.