Cereals, legumes, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables are the most important food crops in the world, with cereal grains contributing the bulk of food calories and proteins worldwide. Generally, the supply of grains and other food can be enhanced by increasing production and by reducing postharvest losses. While food production has increased significa

"Food Process Engineering focuses on the design, operation and maintenance of chemical and other process manufacturing activities. The development of "Agro Processing" will spur agricultural diversification. There are several benefits of promoting small scale agro-processing units rather large scale for the promotion of rural entrepreneurship. Appropriate post harvest management and value addition to agricultural products, in their production catchments, will lead to employment and income generation in the rural sector and minimize the losses of harvested biomass. Adoption of suitable technology plays a vital role in fixing the cost of the final product and consequently makes the venture, a profitable one. It is observed that imported agro-processing machines or their imitations are used for preparing food products. Actually, the working of these machines should be critically studied in context of the energy input and the quality of the finished product."

The past 30 years have seen the establishment of food engineering both as an academic discipline and as a profession. Combining scientific depth with practical usefulness, this book serves as a tool for graduate students as well as practicing food engineers, technologists and researchers looking for the latest information on transformation and preservation processes as well as process control and plant hygiene topics. - Strong emphasis on the relationship between engineering and product quality/safety - Links theory and practice - Considers topics in light of factors such as cost and environmental issues

An introductory text for students, professionals and others engaged in agricultural engineering and food sciences and technology in the primary processing of cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables.

The Handbook of Postharvest Technology presents methods in the manufacture and supply of grains, fruits, vegetables, and spices. It details the physiology, structure, composition, and characteristics of grains and crops. The text covers postharvest technology through processing, handling, drying and milling to storage, packaging, and distribution. Additionally, it examines cooling and preservation techniques used to maintain the quality and the decrease spoilage and withering of agricultural products.

Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds.Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling.The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions.Key Features:*Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives*Updated with 12 new chapters*Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation*System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables

The first edition of Food processing technology was quickly adopted as the standard text by many food science and technology courses. This completely revised and updated third edition consolidates the position of this textbook as the best single-volume introduction to food manufacturing technologies available. This edition has been updated and extended to include the many developments that have taken place since the second edition was published. In particular, advances in microprocessor control of equipment, 'minimal' processing technologies, functional foods, developments in 'active' or 'intelligent' packaging, and storage and distribution logistics are described. Technologies that relate to cost savings, environmental improvement or enhanced product quality are highlighted. Additionally, sections in each chapter on the impact of processing on food-borne micro-organisms are included for the first time. - Introduces a range of processing techniques that are used in food manufacturing - Explains the key principles of each process, including the equipment used and the effects of processing on micro-organisms that contaminate foods - Describes post-processing operations, including packaging and distribution logistics

Fundamentals and Operations in Food Process Engineering deals with the basic engineering principles and transport processes applied to food processing, followed by specific unit operations with a large number of worked-out examples and problems for practice in each chapter. The book is divided into four sections: fundamentals in food process engineering, mechanical operations in food processing, thermal operations in food processing and mass transfer operations in food processing. The book is designed for students pursuing courses on food science and food technology, including a broader section of scientific personnel in the food processing and related industries.

Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has increased dramatically in the last several decades. This increased consumption has put a greater burden on the fresh produce industry to provide fresher product quality, combined with a high level of food safety. Therefore, postharvest handling, storage and shipment of horticultural crops, including fruit and vegetable products has increased in importance. Novel Postharvest Treatments of Fresh Produce focuses mainly on the application of novel treatments for fruits and vegetables shipping and handling life. A greater emphasis is placed on effects of postharvest treatments on senescence and ripening, bioactive molecule contents and food safety. The work presented within this book explores a wide range of topics pertaining to novel postharvest treatments for fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables including applications of various active agents, green postharvest treatments, physical treatments and combinations of the aforementioned.

The second edition of the Food Processing Handbook presents a comprehensive review of technologies, procedures and innovations in food processing, stressing topics vital to the food industry today and pinpointing the trends in future research and development. Focusing on the technology involved, this handbook describes the principles and the equipment used as well as the changes - physical, chemical, microbiological and organoleptic - that occur during food preservation. In so doing, the text covers in detail such techniques as post-harvest handling, thermal processing, evaporation and dehydration, freezing, irradiation, high-pressure processing, emerging technologies and packaging. Separation and conversion operations widely used in the food industry are also covered as are the processes of baking, extrusion and frying. In addition, it addresses current concerns about the safety of processed foods (including HACCP systems, traceability and hygienic design of plant) and control of food processes, as well as the impact of processing on the environment, water and waste treatment, lean manufacturing and the roles of nanotechnology and fermentation in food processing. This two-volume set is a must-have for scientists and engineers involved in food manufacture, research and development in both industry and academia, as well as students of food-related topics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. From Reviews on the First Edition: "This work should become a standard text for students of food technology, and is worthy of a place on the bookshelf of anybody involved in the production of foods." Journal of Dairy Technology, August 2008 "This work will serve well as an excellent course resource or reference as it has well-written explanations for those new to the field and detailed equations for those needing greater depth." CHOICE, September 2006