Practical Food Microbiology

The main approaches to the investigation of food microbiology in the laboratory are expertly presented in this, the third edition of the highly practical and well-established manual. The new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to take account of the latest legislation and technological advances in food microbiology, and offers a step-by-step guide to the practical microbiological examination of food in relation to public health problems. It provides ‘tried and tested’ standardized procedures for official control laboratories and those wishing to provide a competitive and reliable food examination service. The Editors are well respected, both nationally and internationally, with over 20 years of experience in the field of public health microbiology, and have been involved in the development of food testing methods and microbiological criteria. The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has provided microbiological advice and scientific expertise in the examination of food samples for more than half a century. The third edition of Practical Food Microbiology: Includes a rapid reference guide to key microbiological tests for specific foods Relates microbiological assessment to current legislation and sampling plans Includes the role of new approaches, such as chromogenic media and phage testing Discusses both the theory and methodology of food microbiology Covers new ISO, CEN and BSI standards for food examination Includes safety notes and hints in the methods

This book covers application of food microbiology principles into food preservation and processing. Main aspects of the food preservation techniques, alternative food preservation techniques, role of microorganisms in food processing and their positive and negative features are covered. Features subjects on mechanism of antimicrobial action of heat, thermal process, mechanisms for microbial control by low temperature, mechanism of food preservation, control of microorganisms and mycotoxin formation by reducing water activity, food preservation by additives and biocontrol, food preservation by modified atmosphere, alternative food processing techniques, and traditional fermented products processing. The book is designed for students in food engineering, health science, food science, agricultural engineering, food technology, nutrition and dietetic, biological sciences and biotechnology fields. It will also be valuable to researchers, teachers and practising food microbiologists as well as anyone interested in different branches of food.

The new edition of the highly regarded laboratory manual for courses in food microbiology Analytical Food Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual develops the practical skills and knowledge required by students and trainees to assess the microbiological quality and safety of food. This user-friendly textbook covers laboratory safety, basic microbiological techniques, evaluation of food for various microbiological groups, detection and enumeration of foodborne pathogens, and control of undesirable foodborne microorganisms. Each well-defined experiment includes clear learning objectives and detailed explanations to help learners understand essential techniques and approaches in applied microbiology. The fully revised second edition presents improved conventional techniques, advanced analytical methodologies, updated content reflecting emerging food safety concerns, and new laboratory experiments incorporating commercially available microbiological media. Throughout the book, clear and concise chapters explain culture- and molecular-based approaches for assessing microbial quality and safety of diverse foods. This expanded and updated resource: Reviews aseptic techniques, dilution, plating, streaking, isolation, and other basic microbiological procedures Introduces exercises and relevant microorganisms with pertinent background information and reference material Describes each technique using accessible explanatory text, detailed illustrations, and easy-to-follow flowcharts Employs a proven “building block” approach throughout, with each new chapter building upon skills from the previous chapter Provides useful appendices of microbiological media, recommended control organisms, available supplies and equipment, and laboratory exercise reports With methods drawn from the authors’ extensive experience in academic, regulatory, and industry laboratories, Analytical Food Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in food microbiology courses, as well as food processors and quality control personnel in laboratory training programs.

The independent investigations some 70 years ago by E. G. D. Murray and colleagues in Cambridge (UK) and J,H. H. Pirie in Johannesburg (South Mrica) resulted in the first detailed descriptions of listeriosis (in both instances in small animals), together with the isolation and naming of Lis teria monocytogenes. These descriptions in 1926 and 1927 show the pre cision and care of these experimentalists, for not only did they show much skill and attention to detail but also great insight in surmising that the consumption of contaminated food was associated with the trans mission of listeriosis. In the words of Pirie in 1927, 'Infection can be pro duced by subcutaneous inoculation or by feeding and it is thought that it is by feeding that the disease is spread in nature. ' These observations were largely forgotten and listeriosis was regarded as a rather obscure disease of animals and occasionally humans. However, the 1980s saw dramatic changes and the 'elevation' of Listeria to a topic of concern not only amongst microbiologists (particularly food micro biologists) but also the general public.