Handbook on Sourdough Biotechnology

This book defines and highlights the microbiological, technological, nutritional and chemical aspects of sourdough biotechnology, reviewing many useful sensory, rheological, nutritional and shelf-life properties of sourdough-based products.

In the last few decades, many efforts have been made to exploit sourdough’s potential for making baked goods. Through the biotechnology of this traditional baking method, many sensory, rheological, nutritional, and shelf-life properties have been discovered and/or rediscovered. Bakery industries are greatly attracted by the potentials that sourdough presents, and new industrial protocols are being developed. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no single book dedicated to sourdough biotechnology, and which clearly demonstrate its potential. This book aims at defining and highlighting the microbiological, technological, nutritional, and chemical aspects of sourdough biotechnology. The book will be the first reference guide on this topic for the worldwide scientific, teaching and students communities, also opening a way of communication and transferring the main results to a more productive industrial application.

1. Historical and Social Aspects of Sourdough.- 2. Chemistry of Cereal Grains.- 3. Technology of Baked Goods.- 4. Technology of Sourdough Fermentation and Sourdough Applications.- 5. Taxonomy and Biodiversity of Sourdough Yeasts and Lactic Acid Bacteria.- 6. Physiology and Biochemistry of Sourdough Yeasts.- 7. Physiology and Biochemistry of Lactic Acid Bacteria.- 8. Sourdough: A Tool to Improve Bread Structure.- 9. Nutritional Aspects of Cereal Fermentation with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeasts.- 10. Sourdough and Gluten-Free Products.- 11. Sourdough and Cereal Beverages.- 12. Perspectives.