Millions of people are undernourished globally and with the population growing, food security is a major concern. Food security is multifaceted, requiring advancements in food safety, ensuring products have a good shelf life, reducing spoilage and providing dietary additions to improve the nutrient intake of the population. The application of microbiology is far reaching, and new approaches are required to maintain food security. Through an improved understanding of plant-microbe interactions, it is possible to forecast and mitigate food shortages.
Chemists are investigating ways to reliably minimize alcohol, tailor taste profiles and speed up the kombucha fermentation process to help home and commercial producers optimize their funky brews.
Read storyTo meet the increasing demand for cost-effective natural compounds in carotenoid synthesis, researchers have developed an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain capable of selectively overproducing carotenoids.
Scientists have detected higher bacterial counts in commercial, paperboard single-serving containers two weeks after processing than milk packaged in larger containers from the same facilities.
Scientists have discovered the gene that enables marine algae to make a unique type of chlorophyll. They successfully implanted this gene in a land plant, paving the way for better crop yields on less land.
Student Christo Opperman investigated non-dairy carriers for probiotics as part of a Summer studentship with Applied Microbiology International - and here’s what happened.