Focusing on the crucial sustainability challenge of reducing food loss at the level of consumer society, this volume provides an in-depth, research-based overview of this multifaceted problem. It considers the myriad environmental, economic, social, and ethical factors associated with the enormous amount of food waste, which also end up wasting water, air, electricity, and fuel, which are necessary for food processing. This book uniquely examines the social and cultural views of food waste management, shedding new light on the topic by emphasizing the consumer/household perspective throughout. Drawing on a wide variety of disciplines, the book presents philosophical reflections, practical examples and case studies, and potential solutions to the problem of increasing food waste.

This volume provides up-to-date and detailed scientific information on recent developments and new approaches in food microbiology, focusing on microbial food pathogens. The volume presents the fundamental aspects of food and microorganisms, and also addresses food systems and measures to prevent and control food, foodborne diseases, etc. According to the editors, every minute, there are about 50,000 cases of gastrointestinal diseases from food-mediated infections and food poisoning, and many individuals, especially children, die from these infections. The most important preventive measures are for the development and continuous implementation of effective interventions to improve overall food safety. The book helps to meet the challenge of food safety issues by focusing on the fundamental aspects of food and microorganisms. Each section consists of detailed information on the particular aspects of each topic, including basic microbiology, safety, pathogenic microorganisms, food conservation, sanitization, and hygiene procedures. The microbial diversity found in food is described from the classification by kingdoms and the main groups of microorganisms present in them. Although the main issue is microbial food pathogens, the book also covers another important aspect of food microbiology: food systems and measurements to prevent and control food, foodborne diseases, etc. Quantitative Methods Quantitative Methods and Analytical Techniques in Food Microbiology: Challenges and Health Implications will be a valuable resource for scientists, researchers, faculty, students, and others in various sectors in food science and technology. The scope of food microbiology is highly inclusive, as it interacts with all subdisciplines of microbiology, such as public health microbiology, microbial genetics, fermentation technologies, microbial physiology and biochemistry, and food microbiologists have been at the forefront of many microbiological concepts and advances.

Biocontrol Systems and Plant Physiology in Modern Agriculture: Processes, Strategies, Innovations focuses on new production alternatives that do not include pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals for primary food production and instead rely on biologically controlled systems of production. The book also relates a number of advances and innovations in the use of agricultural technologies that employ the study of the physiology of plants to know their resistance to different environments in modern agriculture. The book presents research offering viable alternatives for the control of pests for safe food production that are environmentally friendly and that facilitate the reduction of production costs and improve the quality and yield of produce. The volume addresses innovative biocontrol systems to reduce or eliminate the use of agrochemicals by controlling plant diseases by minimizing environmental damage through the use of antagonistic organisms. It also presents new strategies of cultivation that maximize production by optimizing light, temperature, humidity, nutrients and humidity in a controlled environment. The diverse topics in the volume include botanical compounds as adjuvants as an alternative to reduce the pesticide use, on-site production of bio-control agents, plant factory systems that offer controlled safe environments for plant cultivation, promising bio-nematicides for sustainable agriculture, wastewater reclamation for agricultural purposes, the recovery of phytochemicals from plants, using LED lights on plants and microgreens production, and much more. Covering the new trends in biological control, plant factories, and plant metabolism for application in modern agriculture, this volume provides important research and knowledge that facilitates environmentally friendly plant systems, advances the reduction of production costs, and improves the quality and yield of produce.

The pharmaceutical industry recognizes the shift to the use of natural products while also considering the serious concerns that have arisen regarding the claimed efficacy, quality, and safety of these products. This volume showcases how pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds from natural products can be used to cure or prevent diseases. The chapters explore the connections between agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals and the use of plants and plant products in the formulation and development of new pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

Enzymatic Processes for Food Valorization describes the most recent research in the field of catalysis for food valorization, revealing the impact of the implementation of enzymatic catalysis in the different stages that make up the production processes. Sections review advances in food processing using enzymes, explore the use of enzymes on by-products for the release of compounds of interest, and show recent trends in biocatalysis and its application in the food industry. Written by a team of international experts, this is an invaluable guide for professionals in the area of enzyme technology applied in the food industry, as well as technicians and scientists involved in the use of enzymes on food waste for the valorization and/or recovery of compounds.