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.

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.

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.

Fermented food play an important proactive role in the human diet. In many developing and under developed countries, fermented food is a cheap source of nutrition. Currently, more than 3500 different fermented foods are consumed by humans throughout the world; many are indigenous and produced in small quantities, however, the consumption of many fermented foods has gradually increased. Fermented Food Products presents in-depth insights into various microbes involved in the production of fermented foods throughout the world. It also focuses on recent developments in the fermented food microbiology field along with biochemical changes that are happening during the fermentation process. • Describes various fermented food products, especially indigenous products • Presents health benefits of fermented food products • Explains mechans involved in the production of fermented foods • Discusses molecular tools and its applications and therapeutic uses of fermented foods The book provides a comprehensive account about diversified ethnic fermented food products. Readers will get updated information regarding various types of fermented food products and will learn the effect these fermented food products have on human health.

Indigenous Fermented Foods for the Tropics provides insights on fermented foods of the Tropics, particularly Africa, Asia and South America, highlighting key aspects and potential developments for these food products. Sections provide an overview on the production and composition (nutritional, physicochemical, health beneficial and microbiota) of these indigenous fermented foods in the tropics, innovative techniques for investigating the composition of these fermented food products and improvement of the fermentation process to yield better nutritional constituents, health beneficial components and sensory qualities, and safety aspects to be considered in fermented foods. Other sections provide insights into the packaging and marketing of these food products as well as future prospects of fermented foods in the tropics. This book provides new perspectives and recent information to complement existing texts on indigenous fermented foods serving as a valuable reference text for detailed insights into indigenous fermented foods of the tropics. Discusses fermented foods from the Africa, Asia, and South America based on the raw materials used Offers innovative techniques for improving these indigenous products and investigating their composition as well as upgrading traditional technologies used in the production of fermented products Covers the role of technology and innovations in the quest for enhancing quality, and safety of fermented foods as demand for fermented food and beverage products is increased

MICROBIAL FERMENTATIONS IN NATURE AND AS DESIGNED PROCESSES Fermentation is one of the most important metabolic tools that biology has developed and microorganisms in many ways seem to have become the true masters of fermentative metabolism. Each of the fermentative microbial functions evolved to fit an energetic opportunity, and each function has ecological value. This book provides its readers with: Understanding regarding the commonalities and distinctions between aerobic and anaerobic fermentations as performed by microorganisms. A summary of knowledge regarding the ways in which animals and plants depend upon symbiotic interactions with their fermenting microbial partners including the deconstruction of complex polysaccharides. Information is also included about how those natural technologies constitute adaptation into designed processes for anaerobic degradation of lignocellulosic materials. The important role of rhizosphere microbes that facilitate availability of inorganic and organic phosphates for plants. These phosphates get stored in the plant’s seeds. After ruminant animals ingest the seeds, enzymes produced by gastrointestinal microbial fermentation allow the animals to utilize their dietary phosphates. History of how microbial fermentation has been harnessed from prehistoric times to the present for processing and preserving food products for humans and fodder for our domesticated animals. Insight into the ways that microbial fermentations are used as an engineering tool for producing chemicals, including enzymes and pharmaceuticals, which improve the health of ourselves and our domesticated animals. Perspectives on possible future research directions for the field of applied microbial fermentation that will help to advance agriculture and industry.

Advances in Dairy Microbial Products describes the importance and utility of microbial products used in dairy products. This book explains the makeup of these products in a scientifically sound yet simple manner. The appeal of this book is its holistic approach to addressing the different aspects of the dairy industry, from basic dairy microbial biochemistry to production of dairy products and their nutrient quality, and finally to machine learning applications in dairy industry. Comprised of chapters written and edited by international authorities and researchers with top expertise in dairy products, it offers both established and cutting-edge solutions to the numerous challenges commonly encountered in the industrial processing of milk and the production of milk products. This book offers a highly practical approach to the topic, addressing and tackling the problems faced in the workplace by dairy technologists. Researchers and practitioners will find this book to be an ideal source of thorough and up-to-date information on dairy microbial products while also appealing to beginners seeking to understand how advanced dairy technologies can increase the efficiency of current techniques. Examines the advances of dairy products in healthcare, environment and industry Elaborates upon advanced perspectives, wide applications, traditional uses and modern practices of harnessing potential of microbial products Includes helpful illustrations of recent trends in dairy product research