With a history as ancient as any cultivated fruit, many believe the fig has been with us even longer than the pomegranate. The Ficus constitutes one of the largest and hardiest genera of flowering plants featuring as many as 750 species. Although the extraordinary mutualism between figs and their pollinating wasps has received much attention, the phylogeny of both partners is only beginning to be reconstructed. The fig plant does have a long history of traditional use as a medicine and has been a subject of significant modern research. Figs, the Genus Ficus brings together those histories, ancient and modern, to present an extraordinary profile of an extraordinary plant with an abundance of medical uses and a reputation as both a delicacy and a diet staple in some regions of the world. Several chapters within the book are devoted to intensive study of different parts of the tree: fruits, leaves, bark and stem, roots, and latex. These chapters discuss the Ficus genus as a whole, including the botany of the most important species that have been related to that particular part pharmacologically. The authors, Dr. Ephraim Lansky MD, highly respected as one of the world's only physician pharmcognocists and Dr. Helena Paavilainen, a renowned researcher of natural products, go on to consider the chemistry and pharmacology of each part in selected Ficus species, and modern, medieval, and ancient methods for obtaining and preparing the beneficial components from that plant part for medicinal use. Special attention is paid to the plants' propensity for fighting inflammation, including cancer. Figs' future potential is considered in a number of treatments, as are future areas of research. Includes a wealth of comparative tables for quick reference Provides dozens of illustrative and original high-quality photos as well as drawings and chemical structures Offers complete references after every chapter Figs, the Genus Ficus is a book in the CRC Press Series, Traditional Herbal Medicines for Modern Times, edited by Roland Hardman. Each volume in this series provides academia, health sciences, and the herbal medicines industry with in-depth coverage of the herbal remedies for infectious diseases, certain medical conditions, or the plant medicines of a particular country. Figs, the Ficus trees, are an understudied genus in modern pharmacognosy. This book present a multidisciplinary approach to the botany, chemistry, and pharmacology of fig trees and figs of the Ficus species, including the fig of commerce, Ficus carica, the rubber tree, Ficus elastic, and the Bo tree, Ficus religiosa. Traditional and current uses of figs in medicine are discussed in detail. The book also explores how figs and fig tree parts are processed, and the pharmacological basis underlying the potential efficacy of preparations is investigated in relation to their chemical composition. The book moves seamlessly from mythology to botany to ethnomedicine to pharmacology to phytochemistry.

For centuries, beer has been a favourite drink throughout the world. The art of brewing has more recently evolved into the science it is today as a result of the increased knowledge of both the ingredients and the process. Considerations such as appearance, taste and the nutritional value of beer are important topics for consumers and brewing scientists alike. This book looks at the chemistry behind those aspects of beer that are of particular interest to beer drinkers, namely flavour and nutritional aspects, in combination with a discussion of maintenance of quality and safety, the areas more relevant to the brewing scientist. Beer: Quality, Safety and Nutritional Aspects brings the reader right up to date with current thinking, and will be valued by both interested consumers and those employed in industries related to the brewing industry.

This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the processes and technologies in drying of vegetables and vegetable products. The Handbook of Drying of Vegetables and Vegetable Products discusses various technologies such as hot airflow drying, freeze drying, solar drying, microwave drying, radio frequency drying, infrared radiation drying, ultrasound assisted drying, and smart drying. The book's chapters are clustered around major themes including drying processes and technologies, drying of specific vegetable products, properties during vegetable drying, and modeling, measurements, packaging & safety. Specifically, the book covers drying of different parts and types of vegetables such as mushrooms and herbs; changes to the properties of pigments, nutrients, and texture during drying process; dried products storage; nondestructive measurement and monitoring of moisture and morphological changes during vegetable drying; novel packaging; and computational fluid dynamics.

Meta-regulation presents itself as a progressive policy approach that can manage complexity and conflicting objectives better than traditional command and control regulation. It does this by 'harnessing' markets and enlisting a broad range of stakeholders to reach a more inclusive view of the public interest that a self-regulating business can then respond to. Based on a seventeen year study of the Australian energy industry, and via the lens of Niklas Luhmann's systems theory, Meta-Regulation in Practice argues that normative meta-regulatory theory relies on questionable assumptions of stakeholder morality and rationality. Meta-regulation in practice appears to be most challenged in a complex and contested environment; the very environment it is supposed to serve best. Contending that scholarship must prioritise an understanding of communicative possibilities in practice, this book will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers interested in subjects such as business regulation, systems theory and corporate social responsibility. Please visit meta-regulation.com for more insightful information on meta-regulation and Meta-Regulation in Practice.

Trace element analysis has a key role to play in quality control of food and diet. This timely book introduces the subject in a practical way - from sampling and the techniques available for trace analysis, to procedures for specific elements and data analysis. Beginning with a brief introduction and discussion of statistical evaluation of data, the subsequent chapter looks at trace analysis in general, with its essentials and terminology. Another section introduces sampling and preparation of foodstuffs such as wheat, potato, vegetables and milk. This is followed by descriptions of the various spectrometric techniques (atomic absorption, atomic emission, atomic fluorescence) that are available. Plasma techniques for both optical emission and mass spectrometry are presented, as are nuclear activation analysis and X-ray methods. A comparison of the various analytical techniques is provided, and a separate chapter handles speciation analysis. Finally, procedures for determining essential and toxic elements such as arsenic, iron, selenium and zinc are suggested, using several recent references. Detailed explanations and a simple format will appeal to laboratory technicians and graduate students, as well as more experienced researchers. Comprehensive coverage, coupled with illustrations and a guide to relevant literature and manufacturers, will make Trace Element Analysis of Food and Diet a valuable source of information for anyone working on analysis of trace elements in food, diet or other biological or environmental samples - particularly food engineers, agricultural scientists and government testing agency employees.

Many edible plants considered exotic in the Western world are actually quite mainstream in other cultures. While some of these plants are only encountered in ethnic food markets or during travels to foreign lands, many are now finding their way onto supermarket shelves. Top 100 Exotic Food Plants provides comprehensive coverage of tropical and semitropical food plants, reviewing scientific and technological information as well as their culinary uses. Wide-ranging in scope, this volume's coverage includes plants that produce fruits, vegetables, spices, culinary herbs, nuts, and extracts. A user-friendly format enables readers to easily locate information on botanical and agricultural aspects, economic and social importance, food uses, storage, preparation, and potential toxicity. The book also contains an introductory chapter that reviews important historical, economic, geopolitical, health, environmental, and ethical considerations associated with exotic food plants. Thoroughly referenced with more than 2000 literature citations, this book is enhanced by more than 200 drawings, many chosen from historical art of extraordinary quality. This timely volume also highlights previously obscure edible plants that have recently become prominent as a result of sensationalistic media reports stemming from their inherently entertaining or socially controversial natures. Some of these plants include the acai berry, kava, hemp, and opium poppy. A scholarly yet accessible presentation, the book is filled with numerous memorable, fascinating, and humorous facts, making it an entertaining and stimulating read that will appeal to a broad audience.

This volume, Temperate Fruits: Production, Processing, and Marketing, presents the latest pomological research on the production, postharvest handling, processing and storage, and information on marketing for a selection of temperate fruits. These include apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, sweet cherry, kiwifruit, strawberry, mulberry, and chestnut. With chapters from fruit experts from different countries of the world, the book provides the latest information on the effect of climate change on fruit production, organic fruit growing and advanced fruit breeding, the nutraceutical value and bioactive compounds in fruits and their role in human health, and new and advanced methods of fruit production. Topics include microirrigation, sustainable nutrient management, crop protection and plant health management, and farm mechanization.

Food is a contentious and emotive issue, subject to critiques from multiple perspectives. Alternative food movements - including the different articulations of local, food miles, seasonality, food justice, food knowledge and food sovereignty - consistently invoke themes around autonomy, sufficiency, cooperation, mutual aid, freedom, and responsibility. In this stimulating and provocative book the authors link these issues to utopias and intentional communities. Using a food utopias framework presented in the introduction, they examine food stories in three interrelated and complementary ways: utopias as critique of existing systems; utopias as engagement with experimentation of the novel, the forgotten, and the hopeful in the future of the food system; and utopias as process that recognizes the time and difficulty inherent in changing the status quo. The chapters address theoretical aspects of food utopias and also present case studies from a range of contexts and regions, including Argentina, Italy, Switzerland and USA. These focus on key issues in contemporary food studies including equity, locality, the sacred, citizenship, community and food sovereignty. Food utopias offers ways forward to imagine a creative and convivial food system.

Starch is one of the major polysaccharides employed as biopolymers by the food industry, and its wide range of applications has resulted in intense research of starch structure and technology. Written by an outstanding multidisciplinary team with complementary expertise in both academia and industry, Starches: Characterization, Properties, and Applications takes an innovative approach to the trends of starch production. The book provides an up-to-date overview of starch applications in the food, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemical, agricultural, and plastic industries when used as a substitute for synthetic polymers. Starch nanocomposites properties and starch-based blends biodegradability are also discussed. The book covers the recent advances made in starch characterization using techniques such as atomic force microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. It discusses the main modified starches applications and enzymes used on starch industry. It also addresses starch characterization at the granular, macromolecular, and rheological levels. Under the editorial guidance of renowned food scientist, Andrea Curiacos Bertolini, this book to address starch characterization, applications and biodegradation of starch blends, making it an ideal resource for researchers and product developers interested in starch characterization, nanocomposites, and biopolymer degradation.

Rapid expansion of research on the development of novel food processes in the past decade has resulted in novel processes drawn from fields outside the traditional parameters of food processing. Providing a wealth of new knowledge, Novel Food Processing: Effects on Rheological and Functional Properties covers structural and functional changes at the micro level, and their implications at the macro level, in food exposed to new and emerging technologies. Contributions from an international panel with academic and professional credentials form the backbone of this work. They focus on the functional, rheological, and micro-structural changes that occur in foods when using emerging technologies such as high pressure processing, Ohmic heating, pulse electric fields, and ultraviolet radiation. The book examines new and innovative applications and presents the impact of these research findings on the nutritional aspects of protein and carbohydrate containing foods. It also considers the synergic effects of protein-starch components. Each chapter provides an in-depth analysis of a novel technology and its effect on food structure and function. New directions in food processing will continue to be influenced by diverse fields and used to respond to consumer concerns about food safety, quality, sensory attributes, and nutrition. Combining coverage of technological applications with the chemistry of food and biomaterials, this book illustrates in a very clear and concise fashion the structure-functionality relationship and how it is affected by newly developed and increasingly popular processing technologies.

This book details the latest developments in sensing technology and its application in food industry. It explores the opportunities created by the chemical and biosensing technology and improvements performed in recent years for better food quality, better food safety, better food processing and control, and better input for food industry. The chapters in this book have been divided into three sections: basic principles of chemical and biosensing technology, biosensors for food processing and control, and biosensors for food safety.

Melatonin is a powerful hormone and antioxidant with numerous effects on the metabolism and the health of humans. Available as a dietary supplement in the United States since 1993, it is one of the most popular over-the-counter alternative remedies available. Comprising contributions from researchers who have studied the role of melatonin in various disease and physiological states, Melatonin in the Promotion of Health, Second Edition provides a wide variety of expert reviews on the biology of melatonin relevant to health. Beginning with a history of melatonin and its relation to circadian rhythms, the book examines its use in a host of applications, including: Gut motility and gastrointestinal diseases Anesthesia and surgery Bone health Breast cancer Cardiovascular diseases Diabetes Age-related macular degeneration and uveitis Melanoma, solar skin damage, and collagen synthesis The prevention of DNA damage Mental disorders, sleep, and issues related to jet lag and shift work The data gathered from a large number of carefully controlled animal and human studies have clearly implicated melatonin in the control mechanisms of a wide variety of physiological and psychological activities, making it a potent candidate for therapeutic use in the treatment of a diverse range of diseases. This volume demonstrates that continued studies of this molecule raise the exciting prospect of providing new avenues of treating numerous diseases more effectively and with less side-effects than those found in conventional treatment modalities.

The rise and rationalization of the industrial phosphates industry have gone hand in hand with the development and maturation of technologies to purify phosphoric acid. In the 1960s and 70s, driven by the exponential sales growth of the detergent-builder sodium tripolyphosphate, chemical producers raced to develop processes that would provide a sufficiently pure phosphoric acid feedstock for manufacture to undercut thermal phosphoric acid made from phosphorus. As environmental and political pressure led to a collapse in demand for sodium tripolyphosphate in the 1990s, the commercial pressures to rationalize at plant and corporate levels rose such that only the fittest survived. Phosphoric Acid: Purification, Uses, Technology, and Economics, the first and only book of its kind to be written on this topic, covers the development of purification technologies for phosphoric acid, especially solvent extraction, describing the more successful processes and setting this period in the historical context of the last 350 years. Individual chapters are devoted to the key derivative products which are still undergoing active development, as well as to sustainability and how to approach the commissioning of these plants. The text is aimed at students of chemistry, chemical engineering, business, and industrial history, and to new entrants to the industry.

We cannot control how every chef, packer, and food handler might safeguard or compromise the purity of our food, but thanks to the tools developed through physics and nanotech and the scientific rigor of modern chemistry, food industry and government safety regulators should never need to plead ignorance when it comes to safety assurance. Compiled by two of the most esteemed researchers in the food science industry, Leo M.L. Nollet and Fidel Toldra (most recently 2010 American Meat Science Association Distinguished Research Award recipient), Safety Analysis of Foods of Animal Origin sets such a new and complete standard for testing quality, that to use another resource could be considered irresponsible. Bringing together more than 70 of the most respected investigators from across the world, this invaluable resource - Covers all relevant biological and environmental contaminants Details methods to protect foods from bacteria, viruses, or parasites Considers all sources of contamination along the supply chain including veterinary drugs, irradiation, and genetic modification Looks at ways to detect especially pernicious threats, including metals, dioxins, allergens, and foreign proteins Organized for quick reference, the book is divided into three parts: meat, processed meats, and poultry; fish and seafood products; milk and dairy products. Each of the chapters is dedicated to a specific spoilage, foodborne pathogen, parasite, virus, adulteration, residue, or toxin. Each starts with a discussion of the parameter in question. Sample preparation and cleanup methods are then reviewed in depth, followed by a detailed evaluation of various separation and detection methods. Special attention is given to explain current limits of detection and reliability. Finally, a brief summary covers the presence of these parameters in different end products, regions, and countries. To keep food safe requires vigilance, not just in the rigor of methods, but also vigilance in terms of keeping informed about current methods. Only the most recent techniques and related literature are included in this text.

Although batch processing has existed for a long time, designing these processes and unit operations has been considered an onerous task that required computational efforts. Design of these processes is made more complex because of the time dependent nature of the process and the allowable flexibility. More often than not, every unit encounters optimal control problems. Therefore, traditional design books have not covered batch processing in detail. Filling this void, Batch Processing: Modeling and Design describes various unit operations in batch and bio-processing as well as design methods for these units. Topics include: Batch distillation operating modes and configurations Batch absorption operations based on the solubility difference Batch adsorption based on differential affinity of various soluble molecules to solid absorbents Batch chromatography for measuring a wide variety of thermodynamic, kinetic, and physico-chemical properties Batch crystallization where a phase is used to find the supersaturation at which point material crystallizes Batch drying that stresses the phase diagram of water to describe this operation Batch filtration using a porous medium or screen to separate solids from liquids Batch centrifugation where centrifugal force is used for separation Batch processes are widely used in pharmaceutical, food, and specialty chemicals where high value, low volume products are manufactured. Recent developments in bio-based manufacturing also favor batch processes because feed variations can be easily handled in batch processes. Further, the emerging area of nanomaterials manufacturing currently uses batch processes as they are low volume, high energy intensive processes. With examples, case studies, and more than 100 homework problems, this book describes the unit operations in batch and bioprocessing and gives students a thorough grounding in the numerical methods necessary to solve these design problems.

This volume advances the claim that the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) adopted in 2001 is the only existing international agreement with the potential to promote food security, conservation of biodiversity and equity. However, for germplasm-rich countries, national interests come into conflict with the global interest. This work shows that the pursuit of national interests is counterproductive when it comes to maintaining genetic resources, food-security and rent-seeking and that optimally, the coverage of the FAO Treaty should be widened to apply to all crops.

The science and technology of hydrocolloids used in food and related systems has seen many new developments and advances over recent years. Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry 13 presents the latest research from leading experts in the field including: * Biochemical characterisation, the use of antibodies, immunostaining and enzyme hydrolysis * Chemical and physicochemical characterisation, including rheological investigation and AFM studies * Engineering food microstructure including exploiting association and phase separation in mixed polymer systems and interaction with particles * The role of biopolymers in the formation of emulsions and foams * Influence of hydrocolloids on organoleptic properties * The application of hydrocolloids in foods and beverages * Health aspects This book will be a useful information source for researchers and other professionals in industry and academia, particularly those involved directly with food science.

Here is the complete source of information on egg handling, processing, and utilization. Egg Science and Technology, Fourth Edition covers all aspects of grading, packaging, and merchandising of shell eggs. Full of the information necessary to stay current in the field, Egg Science and Technology remains the essential reference for everyone involved in the egg industry. In this updated guide, experts in the field review the egg industry and examine egg production practices, quality identification and control, egg and egg product chemistry, and specialized processes such as freezing, pasteurization, desugarization, and dehydration. This updated edition explores new and recent trends in the industry and new material on the microbiology of shell eggs, and it presents a brand-new chapter on value-added products. Readers can seek out the most current information available in all areas of egg handling and discover totally new material relative to fractionation of egg components for high value, nonfood uses.Contributing authors to Egg Science and Technology present chapters that cover myriad topics, ranging from egg production practices to nonfood uses of eggs. Some of these specific subjects include: handling shell eggs to maintain quality at a level for customer satisfaction trouble shooting problems during handling chemistry of the egg, emphasizing nutritional value and potential nonfood uses merchandising shell eggs to maximize sales in refrigerated dairy sales cases conversion of shell eggs to liquid, frozen, and dried products value added products and opportunities for merchandising egg products as consumers look for greater convenience Egg Science and Technology is a must-have reference for agricultural libraries. It is also an excellent text for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in food science, animal science, and poultry departments and is an ideal guide for professionals in related food industries, regulatory agencies, and research groups.

Recent developments in nanoparticle and microparticle delivery systems are revolutionizing delivery systems in the food industry. These developments have the potential to solve many of the technical challenges involved in creating encapsulation, protection, and delivery of active ingredients, such as colors, flavors, preservatives, vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals. Nanoparticle- and Microparticle-based Delivery Systems: Encapsulation, Protection and Release of Active Compounds explores various types of colloidal delivery systems available for encapsulating active ingredients, highlighting their relative advantages and limitations and their use. Written by an international authority known for his clear and rigorous technical writing style, this book discusses the numerous kinds of active ingredients available and the issues associated with their encapsulation, protection, and delivery. The author takes a traditional colloid science approach and emphasizes the practical aspects of formulation of particulate- and emulsion-based delivery systems with food applications. He then covers the physicochemical and mechanical methods available for manufacturing colloidal particles, highlighting the importance of designing particles for specific applications. The book includes chapters devoted specifically to the three major types of colloidal delivery systems available for encapsulating active ingredients in the food industry: surfactant-based, emulsion-based, and biopolymer-based. It then reviews the analytical tools available for characterizing the properties of colloidal delivery systems, presents the mathematical models for describing their properties, and highlights the factors to consider when selecting an appropriate delivery system for a particular application backed up by specific case studies. Based on insight from the author's own experience, the book describes why delivery systems are needed, the important factors to consider when designing them, methods of characterizing them, and specific examples of the range of food-grade delivery systems available. It gives you the necessary knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of developments within the current research literature in this rapidly growing field and the confidence to perform reliable experimental investigations according to modern international standards.

Polyphenols make a vital contribution to the colour, tanning, taste and astringency of so many of society's favourites - from the unique taste of the British cup of tea to a glass of red wine. Found widely in many foods of plant origin, polyphenols are also becoming increasingly recognised as antioxidants in the body, with action on long-term health and reduction in the risk of chronic disease. Due to the importance of polyphenols, it is vital to conduct accurate and sensitive analysis. Providing detailed state-of-the-art research, presented in a practical and effective way, Methods in Polyphenol Analysis looks at the latest techniques in this developing field and includes, among others: New modern techniques, such as LC-MS, LC-NMR and LC-coulometric detection; Chemical and enzymatic synthesis of polyphenol conjugates; and Characterization of oligomeric and polymeric tannins and complex polyphenols. This timely publication is written by highly experienced practitioners in this field and will be invaluable to all academics and industrialists involved in phytochemistry, biochemistry and food science.

In recent years, rapid strides have been made in the fields of microbiological aspects of food safety and quality, predictive microbiology and microbial risk assessment, microbiological aspects of food preservation, and novel preservation techniques. Written by the experts and pioneers involved in many of these advances, Microbial Food Safety and Preservation Techniques gives you an in-depth look at the fundamental and applied aspects of food safety. It describes the control measures employed and emphasizes the food preservative techniques that are used to ensure high-quality and safe foods. The book elucidates the hazards caused by food-borne pathogens and assesses the microbiological risk of raw, fresh produce, ready-to-eat (RTE), minimally processed, and processed foods. It then discusses the detection of pathogens using advanced molecular techniques, biosensors, and nanotechnology. The topics covered include smart/intelligent and active packaging techniques, hurdle technology, plasma technology, nanotechnology, use of natural flora belonging to lactic acid bacteria, and antimicrobials such as phytochemicals and essential oils, as well as novel food preservatives based on quorum sensing inhibitors. The inclusion of chapters on modeling microbial growth in food enhancing the safety and quality of foods makes the book especially practical. Examining the advantages and limitations of these new preservation techniques, the book highlights the trends and hot topics that help you face the challenges of food safety. With coverage of food safety issues, including detection, identification, and prevention of food-borne illness disease agents, as well as preservation techniques, the book provides a comprehensive resource for tackling current and future food safety issues.

The wine industry appears to be an anomaly within the modern global economy. Thousands of small companies provide a vast variety of highly differentiated products and compete successfully with multinational corporations. Using case studies from Bordeaux, Napa Valley and Chianti Classico, this book argues that rather than being a vestige or a serendipitous phenomenon, this variety results from a sophisticated alternative organization of production. Integrating differentiation and branding into Ostrom's common pool resource theory, Jerry Patchell shows how winegrowers in a territory can use self-governance to protect and promote their common reputation while enhancing each producer's ability to differentiate their wines and build their own brand. Bordeaux, Napa, and Chianti Classico share several common challenges, but develop a set of strategies and tools appropriate to their markets and regulatory contexts.

Food flavor, appearance, and texture are the sensory properties that influence food acceptance, and among these, flavor is usually the decisive factor for the choice of a particular product. Food Flavors: Chemical, Sensory, and Technological Properties explores the main aspects of food flavors and provides a starting point for further study in focused areas. Topics discussed include: The nature of food odorants and tastants and the way they are perceived by the human olfactory system Basic anatomy and physiology of sensory systems involved in flavor sensation, olfactory pathways, and interactions between olfactory and gustatory stimuli The fundamentals of flavor compounds formation based on their main precursors (lipids, amino acids, and carbohydrates) Technological issues related to flavor compounds Physicochemical characteristics of aroma compounds and the main factors that influence aroma binding and release in foods Safety and regulatory aspects of flavorings used in foods Flavors of essential oils and spices, cheeses, red meat, wine, and bread and bakery products Food taints and off-flavors Analytical approaches to characterize food flavors The book also explores the latest technology in artificial olfaction systems with a chapter on the main physical and chemical features of these sensors. Bringing together the combined experience of a host of international experts, the book provides insight into the fundamentals of food flavors and explores the latest advances in flavor analysis.

One of the main concerns of the food industry is the need for high-quality fresh fruits and fruit products with good sensory quality, long shelf life, and high nutritional value. To meet these demands, new processing technologies are under investigation and development. Advances in Fruit Processing Technologies incorporates fundamentals in food processing as well as the advances made in recent years to improve final product quality. With contributions from a panel of international researchers who present a blend of classical and emerging technologies, the book explores: Ozone, ultrasound, irradiation, pulsed electric field, vacuum frying, and high-pressure processing Ultraviolet and membrane processing Enzymatic maceration, freeze concentration, and refrigeration The effect of processing on sensory characteristics and nutritional value New trends in modified atmosphere packaging The use of fruit juices as a vehicle for probiotic microorganisms Prebiotic oligosaccharides as an alternative for dairy products Incorporating a series of case studies on the application of various technologies, the book reviews their advantages, limitations, successes, and failures. The contributors also examine the implications of food processing technologies on waste production, energy use, and resource requirements. This comprehensive survey of methods for optimizing fruit quality is an ideal resource for those in the fruit and vegetable industry looking for innovations that can improve efficiency, reduce waste, and cut costs.

Food structure at the molecular level and how it impacts on health, taste, texture and shelf life is becoming an increasingly important area of science. Food Colloids: Self-Assembly and Material Science describes new developments in the theory and practice of the formulation of food emulsions, dispersions, gels and foams. Particular emphasis is placed on the self-assembly of surfactants and biopolymers in food. Topics include: colloid science in food nutrition and the relationship of texture to sensory perception of food materials. It also discusses the exploitation of surfactant mesophases for nanoscale encapsulation, the interfacial rheological properties of mixed interfaces, the dynamics and microrheology of gels and emulsions, the stability of droplets and bubbles, the effects of thermal and mechanical processing on food colloid stability and the electrostatic interactions of proteins with polysaccharides. This authoritative book will serve as a guide and reference to researchers in the field of food colloids.