Food Processing and Production: Principles and Applications

The process of transformation of agricultural products into food for consumption is termed as food processing. It is an important aspect of food production. It is necessary for making food edible, enabling preservation, toxin removal, and distribution and marketing. This is achieved through a number of processes, such as food preservation, use of food additives, and food packaging. With processing, delicate perishable food can be transported across longer distances and used for longer periods of time as it kills pathogenic microbes and deactivates spoilage. A variety of traditional and industrial methods are used for food preservation, such as freezing, pickling, heating, pasteurization, vacuum packing, irradiation, etc. Food additives can be added to the food during the manufacturing process, processing and packaging, or during storage and transport to preserve its taste and flavor. These may include antioxidants, emulsifiers, acidity regulators, colors, etc. Packaging ensures that food becomes tamper-proof and stays protected from various biological and chemical agents. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the field of food processing and production. It unfolds innovative principles and applications, which will be crucial for the holistic understanding of the subject matter. For all those who are interested in this field, this textbook will prove to be an essential guide.