BOOK NEWS Brewing Microbiology: Current Research, Omics And
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Brewing Microbiology: current research, omics and microbial ecology. Edited BOOK NEWS by Nicholas A. Bokulich and Charles W. Bamforth. 2017. Caister Academic Press, Norfolk. Pp. v + 331, figs. ISBN 978-1-910190-61-6 (pbk), 978-1-910190- 62-3 (ebk). Price US$ 319 or £ 159 (pbk or ebk). that prove to be imperfectly understood. chapter considers the evolution of brewing Knowledge of basic physiology has yeasts in both these two genera, especially improved, for example in relation to domestication and the characters associated effects of nitrogen, oxygen, and sugar with that which have diverged from those levels on growth, and the complex issue found in nature. In the case of traditional of factors controlling “quiescence” after beers, however, inoculations often rely cropping. The considerable stresses that on “back-slopping” or other non-critical yeasts undergo during brewing processes methods. It does, however, have to be are reviewed, including changes in alcohol understood that the particular strains in levels, pH, temperature, carbon dioxide use in major manufacturing plants are often and oxygen, and hyperosmotic stresses. closely guarded by the companies because Maintaining strain quality over time is of that information is commercially sensitive. vital importance in production to achieve As a result the available laboratory strains a consistent product, and best-practices for may not always be representative of those propagation, storage and rejuvenation are actually used. described. Also covered are the problems and Molecular phylogenetics has led to potentials of genetic manipulation of a clarification of ps ecies concepts, and brewing yeasts, and the contamination of the relationship between seven “natural” barley and malt by a surprising variety of species and hybrids used in production spoilage fungi that can lead to significant Genomics is having an enormous impact on or developed as contaminants. There is a losses. Spoilage can also arise from bacteria, traditional as well as emerging fungal-based most useful summary of how the names and omics approaches to their detection and industries. Brewing had already became of 11 taxa relate to the currently accepted characterization are discussed, along with an increasingly scientific operation during species (including the citation of “type the problems that can cause, whether from the 20th century, but genomics is now strains” [sic!]). In the case of Saccharomyces mycotoxins or unpleasant odours. taking it to a new level of sophistication. cerevisiae, a whole-genome phylogeny I learnt a great deal from this volume, This book aims to provide an overview of of 114 top-fermenting beer strains is and there is no doubt that this will be a recent advances in brewing technology presented, including ones used in bread, valuable information source not just for and their impact, particularly in the last sake, and wine production and some those involved in the brewing industry, decade. The topics covered range from from nature in different regions of the but for those in applied mycology and physiology and handling, through genetic world. The nomenclature and taxonomy food science courses. The editors are to be modification, taxonomy and evolution, to of Brettanomyces species, also used in congratulated on putting together such an issues of contamination and spoilage. New some beers, is also summarized. Methods authoritative overview of brewing yeasts and technology has made this an exciting and of species separation are also discussed, their exploitation. developing field, and also revealed aspects including real-time PCR systems. A separate Radical Mycology: a treatise on seeing & working with fungi. By Peter Mc- Coy. 2016. Chthaeus Press, Portland, OR. Pp. xxi + 672, illustr. (16 pp. col.). ISBN 9780986399602 (pbk). Price US$ 49.49. What an incredible work! The back cover into a worldwide network of contacts, crucial to the new millennium, and groups states that Radical Mycology aims to be “an Radical Mycology Congresses, and in 2014 of Radical Mycologists Without Borders in-depth reference and resource manual a Radical Mycology Collective touring touring the world informing on the for anyone interested in the growth of North America sharing knowledge and importance of fungi so that they are seen as mycology as a people’s science”. The author skills. This book is the summation of his having a central role in all aspects of human has a long-standing fascination in the life’s work with fungi, bringing together life. The book starts with basic information cultivation and collection of mushrooms, all the information he has gleaned into a on the nature of fungi and major groups, and “became deeply involved in the art single reference work – and with almost no structure, spore liberation, hyphal growth, and activist movement in Olympia”, and contact with professional mycologists or and form, proceeding to life-styles: now lives in Portland (OR). In 2008 he mycological societies. mycorrhizas, endophytes, relationships with started a “zine” when he just a few friends He sees mycology as a “neglected animals, biotrophs, and saprobes. Sections interested in mycology which developed megascience” (citing my use of the phrase), on ethnomycology and the role of women VOLUME 8 · NO . 1 (29) into garden design. This is followed by glossary, bibliography, and endnotes to one looking to the importance for the sources used in each chapter. I was impressed future, particularly in bioremediation of by the range of sources the author has been soil contaminants (including petrol spills), able to put together, including many from stressing the need to have a standard of care, the primary literature. and the range of chemical products. I must admit that I had not heard of Part V, Integration, unconventionally, the Radical Mycology movement before turns to the incorporation of mycelium coming across this book. Some views BOOK NEWS parallels into various activities, including expressed and slants placed on particular searching for information, navigating facts may surprise, or even shock, some human situations, decision making, building professional mycologists, there can be no connections and support networks. There doubt about the enthusiasm for mycology are also separately authored sections on that is evident on almost any page. Weighing sharing fungi with children (Maya Elson) 1.9 kg, this is very much a source book, a and mushroom sex life, including sexual vademecum for a mycological movement. orientation (Willoughby Arevalo). This Consequently, some areas such as industrial is followed by a 44-page chapter devoted mycology, food spoilage, genetics, genomics, to psychoactive fungi, covering different pharmaceuticals, plant diseases, indoor categories of experiences, the War on Drugs fungi, mycoses, etc, are not or scarcely conclude the first part. in the USA, historical uses in different mentioned. It is a remarkable and impressive Part II concerns collection and regions, in religions, an assessment of achievement by a “citizen scientist” and examination, with a welcome chapter Gordon Wasson’s investigations, and the a few colleagues, and is indeed likely to on lichens (by Natassja Noell) which psychedelic movement (Peter SjoXstedt-H). promote the importance and knowledge of in addition to identification and The last sections comprise species fungi amongst an audience not normally chemistry also includes uses. Part III profiles, and appendices covering “id” reached through conventional mycological covers mycomedicinals1 and mycophagy, forms, lists of endangered fungi, fungal channels. Mycology should be grateful to including recipes for not only food and toxins, fungal dyes and paper, healing him. beverages but also various medicines. Part exercises, cultivation parameters, media IV has a 90-page chapter on working with for cultivation, cultivation tracking forms, fungi, including cultivation and culture projects, working with psychoactive fungi, 1Various other terms are introduced here, perhaps for techniques, and a shorter one on cultivation psilocin mushroom niches, facilitating the first time, including: alchemycology, mycognosis, on waste materials, composting (including events and meetings, online resources and mycoguilds, mycomemetrics, mycomimicry, the use of Trichodema), fungus farming, and organizations, various games, mycojokes, mycopsychology, and mycosystematics (which has incorporating fungi with different biologies Latin and Greek derivations, an extensive nothing to do with taxonomy as used here). Fungi: applications and management strategies. Edited by S.K. Deshmukh, J.K. Misra, J.P. Tewari, and Tamas Papp. 2016. CRC Press, Boca Raton. Pp. ix + 486. ISBN 978-1-498-724913. Price US$ 127, £ 88.90. This is the fourth book in the Progress in is an intriguing chapter on epigenetic modi- Mycological Research series, and the first to fication of biosynthetic pathways. Just two focus on applied aspects; the previous one chapters concern management issues, fungal concerned fungi from different substrates pathogens on rice and on soybean. (Misra et all. 2014). The new volume deals The concept of a “myconanofactory” with “some aspects of fungi which have was a new one for me, fungi that can helped us to use them for human welfare” extract metal ions (including platinum and (p. v). The 17 chapters included represent a silver) to form minute particles on their choice that is necessarily somewhat eclectic, walls which promise to have applications and are mainly concerned with bioprospect-