Peter's career as a Principal Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire encompassed teaching and research in microbial physiology and fermentation technology. He spent sabbatical periods at ICI Fermentation Products, the Warren Spring Laboratory and in the laboratory of Professor Ayaaki Ishizaki, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. He also held managerial responsibilities as Head of Biochemistry and Microbiology and Associate Head of the School of Life Sciences. Peter is now retired, but returned as a Visiting Lecture and was awarded a University Fellowship by the University of Hertfordshire in 2016. He is a member of the Microbiology Society and was previously the. Treasurer of the Society and Convener of the Fermentation Group.

Prior to joining the University of Hertfordshire, Allan was a research scientist with ICI, working on aspects of fungal physiology and plant tissue culture. His career as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire encompassed teaching in microbiology and research in microbial physiology and fermentation technology. Allan retired from the University and continued as a visiting lecturer but also combined his interests in microbiology and local history in his research into the history of brewing in Hertfordshire.

Stephen's career as Senior Lecturer at The University of Hertfordshire has encompassed teaching in numerous fields across the Chemical, Biological and Environmental Sciences, together with research in effluent treatment, microbial physiology and fermentation technology. He was a member of the Society of Chemical Industry and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Both Allan and Stephen have taken an advisory role in the development of this edition but the influence they had on the previous three editions very much remain as a foundation of the current book.