Yet, the genome sequences of some major spoiler bacteria
(B. thermosphacta, P. phosphoreum, and some Weissella species for
example) have not been determined. Nevertheless, a mass of information
concerning the putative functional properties of spoilers
is already available in genome databases and has not yet been fully
exploited. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic studies in food
are also emerging. The few articles in this field were published
during the past two years and mainly focus on fermented products,
with the aim of elucidating fermentation and deciphering the dynamics
and roles of various species involved in this process. There is
no doubt that a similar approach will be used in the future to understand
the spoilage processes of various food products and the
spoiler functions responsible for food losses. Fig. 2 summarizes how
combining how coupling genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics
and metabolomics to spoilage analysis may help understanding
and then controlling food spoilage.
Appendix A.