Publisher's Synopsis
Lactobacillus is a highly phylogenetically and metabolically diverse genus comprising more than 200 species. As food-grade microorganisms, lactobacilli have long been exploited in the feed, food and beverage industries, with applications ranging from extending the shelf-life of food products to their use as probiotics with health-promoting properties. In addition lactobacilli are also important producers of industrial chemicals such as lactic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid. This considerable commercial importance has stimulated a plethora of research projects studying the genomics, molecular biology and metabolic engineering of these bacteria and prompted the need for this concise book which provides a timely overview of the field.
