Microbiological Examination Methods of Food and Water (2nd edition) is an illustrated laboratory manual that provides an overview of current standard microbiological culture methods for the examination of food and water, adhered to by renowned international organizations, such as ISO, AOAC, APHA, FDA and FSIS/USDA. It includes methods for the enumeration of indicator microorganisms of general contamination, indicators of hygiene and sanitary conditions, sporeforming, spoilage fungi and pathogenic bacteria. Every chapter begins with a comprehensive, in-depth and updated bibliographic reference on the microorganism(s) dealt with in that particular section of the book. The latest facts on the taxonomic position of each group, genus or species are given, as well as clear guidelines on how to deal with changes in nomenclature on the internet. All chapters provide schematic comparisons between the methods presented, highlighting the main differences and similarities. This allows the user to choose the method that best meets his/her needs. Moreover, each chapter lists validated alternative quick methods, which, though not described in the book, may and can be used for the analysis of the microorganism(s) dealt with in that particular chapter. The didactic setup and the visualization of procedures in step-by-step schemes allow the user to quickly perceive and execute the procedure intended. Support material such as drawings, procedure schemes and laboratory sheets are available for downloading and customization. This compendium will serve as an up-to-date practical companion for laboratory professionals, technicians and research scientists, instructors, teachers and food and water analysts. Alimentary engineering, chemistry, biotechnology and biology (under)graduate students specializing in food sciences will also find the book beneficial. It is furthermore suited for use as a practical/laboratory manual for graduate courses in Food Engineering and Food Microbiology.

Argentine viticulture is characterized by depending on the Andean snows and the rivers that flow from its peaks. In the last decade (2012 – 2022), the consequences of Climate Change have been present in the Andes Mountains, as the snowfall was lower than historical averages diminishing water flow in rivers and, furthermore water volume for irrigation. There is a strong relationship, especially in irrigated areas, between water, energy and food production expressed through the Nexus. In the case of viticulture, the concept has been adapted to water, energy and added value or employment, since the economic activity of many wine territories depends on employment and the value generated by wine chains. The scarcity and instability of water sources followed by problems of the energy markets have led Argentine viticulture to a strong process of adaptation to new scenarios, largely conditioned by the Nexus and by the complex national macroeconomy. Territorial specialization and the search for higher value products have been the most important responses with a growth in the Uco Valley and the upper area of the Mendoza River on one side, and the loss of productive areas and winegrowers in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan, especially from common grapes to produce basic wines and/or concentrated musts.

El agua, tanto la que se consume como la que se emplea para fines generales, probablemente será uno de los recursos más limitantes en el futuro, dado el crecimiento de la población mundial, la gran demanda hídrica de la mayoría de los sistemas de producción agrícola y los efectos de distorsión del cambio climático. Necesitamos lograr un manejo juicioso del agua, que sea eficiente, rentable y equitativo, si queremos evitar la calamidad que implicaría carecer de un suministro de agua utilizable. Las cuencas forestales proporcionan aproximadamente el 75 % de los recursos accesibles de agua dulce del mundo, y de ellos depende más de la mitad de la población de la Tierra para fines domésticos, agrícolas, industriales y ambientales. Por lo tanto, los bosques son una infraestructura natural vital, y su manejo puede proporcionar «soluciones basadas en la naturaleza» para una variedad de desafíos sociales vinculados con el agua. En esta edición de Unasylva se analiza dicho potencial.