Using metabolomics to understand stress responses in Lactic Acid Bacteria and their applications in the food industry.

Uses of LAB in food products were assessed and factors which contribute to survival and tolerance in LAB investigated. Changes in the metabolic profiles of LAB exposed to stress were found to be associated with carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acid levels and these changes were proposed to be a result of the bacteria trying to maintain cellular homeostasis in response to external conditions and minimise cellular damage from reactive oxygen species. This correlates with morphological analysis which shows that LAB can undergo cell elongation and shortening, as well as thinning and thickening of cell membranes, when exposed to stress. It is proposed that these innate strategies can be utilised to minimise negative effects caused by stress through selection of intrinsically robust strains, genetic modification and/or prior exposure to sublethal stress. This work demonstrates the utility of metabolomics to the food industry.