The New Science of Metagenomics


Book Description

Although we can't usually see them, microbes are essential for every part of human life-indeed all life on Earth. The emerging field of metagenomics offers a new way of exploring the microbial world that will transform modern microbiology and lead to practical applications in medicine, agriculture, alternative energy, environmental remediation, and many others areas. Metagenomics allows researchers to look at the genomes of all of the microbes in an environment at once, providing a "meta" view of the whole microbial community and the complex interactions within it. It's a quantum leap beyond traditional research techniques that rely on studying-one at a time-the few microbes that can be grown in the laboratory. At the request of the National Science Foundation, five Institutes of the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy, the National Research Council organized a committee to address the current state of metagenomics and identify obstacles current researchers are facing in order to determine how to best support the field and encourage its success. The New Science of Metagenomics recommends the establishment of a "Global Metagenomics Initiative" comprising a small number of large-scale metagenomics projects as well as many medium- and small-scale projects to advance the technology and develop the standard practices needed to advance the field. The report also addresses database needs, methodological challenges, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in supporting this new field.




Microbiome and Machine Learning, Volume II


Book Description

Due to the success of Microbiome and Machine Learning, which collected research results and perspectives of researchers working in the field of machine learning (ML) applied to the analysis of microbiome data, we are launching the second volume to collate any new findings in the field to further our understanding and encourage the participation of experts worldwide in the discussion. The success of ML algorithms in the field is substantially due to their capacity to process high-dimensional data and deal with uncertainty and noise. However, to maximize the combinatory potential of these emerging fields (microbiome and ML), researchers have to deal with some aspects that are complex and inherently related to microbiome data. Microbiome data are convoluted, noisy and highly variable, and non-standard analytical methodologies are required to unlock their clinical and scientific potential. Therefore, although a wide range of statistical modelling and ML methods are available, their application is only sometimes optimal when dealing with microbiome data.




Frontiers in Aquaculture Biotechnology


Book Description

Frontiers in Aquaculture Biotechnology presents a broad-spectrum of topics, covering different key aspects of aquaculture. With the rising importance of aquaculture research, evidence-based information is integral in advancing this field. This book provides a solid resource of information on DNA barcoding for fish species authentication and seafood labelling and cell culture, including stem cell culture, in vitro research using fish cell lines such as in vitro fish meat, reproductive biotechnology, including surrogate technology, gene editing and genetically modified aquaculture species, biofloc technology, and omic technologies such as proteomics, artificial intelligence and biobanking. This book will be a valuable resource to students, researchers a nd entrepreneurs interested in a better understanding of this emerging field of aquaculture. - Presents hot topic information such as cell line repositories for the conservation of important fish genetic resources - Includes information on climate resilient production systems to improve fish production - Provides the latest research on genome editing in aquaculture species




Food Safety and Quality-Based Shelf Life of Perishable Foods


Book Description

This book addresses the shelf life of foods, a key factor in determining how food is distributed and consequently where and when different food products are available for consumption. Shelf life is determined by several factors, including microbiological, chemical, physical, and organoleptic deterioration. Often these factors are interrelated and interdependent. The editors of this volume focus specifically on the microbial factors related to shelf life of perishable foods and food commodities. This allows for more detailed coverage of foodborne bacterial pathogens and spoilage microorganisms of concern. The initial part of the book covers the why and how of shelf life determination as well as the specific microbial pathogens and spoilage microorganisms of concern for perishable foods. Contributors address topics such as the techniques utilized for determination of shelf life, the frequency of shelf life testing for different products, the interpretation of data to make shelf life determinations, and management of shelf life of food products from the perspective of the food producer, distributor, retailer, and regulator. Three key areas impacting shelf life are addressed in detail: sanitation, processing, and packaging. The sanitation chapter explains the necessary components of cleaning and sanitizing to assure a hygienic processing environment and why that is critical to shelf life control. Traditional processing procedures are reviewed and advanced processing technologies are explored. Materials used in food packaging and the utilization of traditional and activated food packaging by product type are covered in detail. The latter two chapters of the book delve into newer techniques of analysis and explore the microbiome of food products. Implications of microbial ecology and microbial quantification in food products are discussed in chapters on genomics and in the changing dogma of meat shelf life. The primary audience for this work includes food industry quality and food safety technicians, managers, directors, and executives responsible for shelf life. Academicians and governmental researchers involved in research and teaching about food safety and quality will also find the material relevant and useful.







Food Safety and Public Health


Book Description




Handbook of Seafood and Seafood Products Analysis


Book Description

Seafood and seafood products represent some of the most important foods in almost all types of societies around the world. More intensive production of fish and shellfish to meet high demand has raised some concerns related to the nutritional and sensory qualities of these cultured fish in comparison to their wild-catch counterparts. In addition, the variety in processing, preservation, and storage methods from traditional to modern is contributing to an increase in variability in consumer products. This second edition of the Handbook of Seafood and Seafood Products Analysis brings together the work of 109 experts who focus on the most recent research and development trends in analytical techniques and methodologies for the analysis of captured fresh and preserved seafood, either cultivated or wild, as well as for derived products. After providing a general introduction, this handbook provides 48 chapters distributed in six sections: Chemistry and biochemistry focuses on the analysis of main chemical and biochemical compounds of seafood. Processing control describes the analysis of technological quality and the use of some non-destructive techniques as well as methods to check freshness, detection of species, and geographic origin and to evaluate smoke flavoring. Nutritional quality deals with the analysis of nutrients in seafood such as essential amino acids, bioactive peptides, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and fatty acids. Sensory quality covers the sensory quality and main analytical tools to determine color, texture, flavor and off-flavor, quality index methods as well as sensory descriptors, sensory aspects of heat-treated seafood, and sensory perception. Biological Safety looks at tools for the detection of spoilage, pathogens, parasites, viruses, marine toxins, antibiotics, and GM ingredients. Chemical Safety focuses on the identification of fish species, detection of adulterations, veterinary drug residues, irradiation, food contact materials, and chemical toxic compounds from the environment, generated during processing or intentionally added. Key Features: This comprehensive handbook provides a full overview of the tools now available for the analysis of captured fresh and preserved seafood, either cultivated or wild, as well as for derived products. This is a comprehensive and informative book that presents both the merits and limitations of analytical techniques and also gives future developments for guaranteeing the quality of seafood and seafood products. This cutting-edge work covers processes used from all of the seven seas to ensure that consumers find safe, nutritionally beneficial, and appealing seafood products at their markets and restaurants. This handbook covers the main types of worldwide available analytical techniques and methodologies for the analysis of seafood and seafood products.




Indigenous Fermented Foods for the Tropics


Book Description

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




Food Safety Engineering


Book Description

Food Safety Engineering is the first reference work to provide up-to-date coverage of the advanced technologies and strategies for the engineering of safe foods. Researchers, laboratory staff and food industry professionals with an interest in food engineering safety will find a singular source containing all of the needed information required to understand this rapidly advancing topic. The text lays a solid foundation for solving microbial food safety problems, developing advanced thermal and non-thermal technologies, designing food safety preventive control processes and sustainable operation of the food safety preventive control processes. The first section of chapters presents a comprehensive overview of food microbiology from foodborne pathogens to detection methods. The next section focuses on preventative practices, detailing all of the major manufacturing processes assuring the safety of foods including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC), food traceability, and recalls. Further sections provide insights into plant layout and equipment design, and maintenance. Modeling and process design are covered in depth. Conventional and novel preventive controls for food safety include the current and emerging food processing technologies. Further sections focus on such important aspects as aseptic packaging and post-packaging technologies. With its comprehensive scope of up-to-date technologies and manufacturing processes, this is a useful and first-of-its kind text for the next generation food safety engineering professionals.