Proteomic Signature in Lactic Acid Bacteria and Related Microorganisms

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a fundamental role in the production of fermented foods, as well as in the production of functional foods with an impact on human health. Understanding the behavior of LAB in various environments is crucial to ensure the production of desired metabolites. Advanced techniques, especially proteomics, offer unparalleled insights into the adaptive mechanisms of LAB. By decoding proteomic signatures, valuable knowledge is revealed, helping to improve industrial processes and/or their beneficial characteristics. Thus, proteomics emerges as a cornerstone, revealing the intricate adaptations of LAB and paving the way for innovative applications in food and health. This chapter describes the steps to follow for the identification and global characterization of microbial proteins using mass spectrometry (MS).