The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin


Book Description

This book is focused on the challenges to implement sustainability in diverse contexts such as agribusiness, natural resource systems and new technologies. The experiences made by the researchers of the School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Science (SAFE) of the University of Basilicata offer a wide and multidisciplinary approach to the identification and testing of different solutions tailored to the economic, social and environmental characteristics of the region and the surrounding areas. Basilicata’s productive system is mainly based on activities related to the agricultural sector and exploitation of natural resources but it has seen, in recent years, an industrial development driven by the discovery of oil fields. SAFE research took up the challenge posed by market competition to create value through the sustainable use of renewable and non-renewable resources of the territory. Moreover, due to its unique geographical position in the middle of the Mediterranean basin, Basilicata is an excellent “open sky” laboratory for testing sustainable solutions adaptable to other Mediterranean areas. This collection of multidisciplinary case studies and research experiences from SAFE researchers and their scientific partners is a stimulating contribution to the debate on the development of sustainable techniques, methods and applications for the Mediterranean regions.




Electrolyzed Water in Food: Fundamentals and Applications


Book Description

This book provides fundamentals, highlights recent developments and offers new perspectives relating to the use of electrolyzed water (EW) as an emerging user- and environmental-friendly broad-spectrum sanitizer, with particular focus on the food industry. It addresses the generation, inactivation, pesticide degradation and safety of food by EW, illustrates the mechanism of the germicidal action of EW and its antimicrobial efficacy against a variety of microorganisms in suspensions. In addition, the sanitizing effects of combining EW with various chemical and physical sanitizing technologies have been evaluated, and recent developments and applications of EW in various areas including fruits and vegetables, meat, aquatic products, environment sterilization, livestock and agriculture has been described. The book can be a go-to reference book of EW for: (1) Researchers who need to understand the role of various parameters in its generation, the bactericidal mechanism of EW and its wide applications for further research and development; (2) Equipment producers who need comprehensive understanding of various factors (e.g. type of electrolyte, flow rates of water and electrolyte) which govern the efficacy of EW and developing its generators; (3) Food processors who need good understanding of EW in order to implement it in the operations and supervisors who need to balance the advantages and limitations of EW and ensuring its safe use.




Principles of Food Sanitation


Book Description

Large volume food processing and preparation operations have increased the need for improved sanitary practices from processing to consumption. This trend presents a challenge to every employee in the food processing and food prepara tion industry. Sanitation is an applied science for the attainment of hygienic conditions. Because of increased emphasis on food safety, sanitation is receiving increased attention from those in the food industry. Traditionally, inexperienced employees with few skills who have received little or no training have been delegated sanitation duties. Yet sanitation employees require intensive training. In the past, these employees, including sanitation program managers, have had only limited access to material on this subject. Technical information has been confined primarily to a limited number of training manuals provided by regulatory agen cies, industry and association manuals, and recommendations from equipment and cleaning compound firms. Most of this material lacks specific information related to the selection of appropriate cleaning methods, equipment, compounds, and sanitizers for maintaining hygienic conditions in food processing and prepara tion facilities. The purpose of this text is to provide sanitation information needed to ensure hygienic practices. Sanitation is a broad subject; thus, principles related to con tamination, cleaning compounds, sanitizers, and cleaning equipment, and specific directions for applying these principles to attain hygienic conditions in food processing and food preparation are discussed. The discussion starts with the importance of sanitation and also includes regulatory requirements and voluntary sanitation programs including additional and updated information on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).




Microbial Decontamination in the Food Industry


Book Description

The problem of creating microbiologically-safe food with an acceptable shelf-life and quality for the consumer is a constant challenge for the food industry. Microbial decontamination in the food industry provides a comprehensive guide to the decontamination problems faced by the industry, and the current and emerging methods being used to solve them.Part one deals with various food commodities such as fresh produce, meats, seafood, nuts, juices and dairy products, and provides background on contamination routes and outbreaks as well as proposed processing methods for each commodity. Part two goes on to review current and emerging non-chemical and non-thermal decontamination methods such as high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, irradiation, power ultrasound and non-thermal plasma. Thermal methods such as microwave, radio-frequency and infrared heating and food surface pasteurization are also explored in detail. Chemical decontamination methods with ozone, chlorine dioxide, electrolyzed oxidizing water, organic acids and dense phase CO2 are discussed in part three. Finally, part four focuses on current and emerging packaging technologies and post-packaging decontamination.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Microbial decontamination in the food industry is an indispensable guide for all food industry professionals involved in the design or use of novel food decontamination techniques, as well as any academics researching or teaching this important subject. - Provides a comprehensive guide to the decontamination problems faced by the industry and outlines the current and emerging methods being used to solve them - Details backgrounds on contamination routes and outbreaks, as well as proposed processing methods for various commodities including fresh produce, meats, seafood, nuts, juices and dairy products - Sections focus on emerging non-chemical and non-thermal decontamination methods, current thermal methods, chemical decontamination methods and current and emerging packaging technologies and post-packaging decontamination




Postharvest Disinfection of Fruits and Vegetables


Book Description

Postharvest Disinfection of Fruits and Vegetables describes available technologies to reduce microbial infection for maintaining postharvest quality and safety. The book analyzes alternative and traditional methodologies and points out the significant advantages and limitations of each technique, thus facilitating both cost and time savings. This reference is for anyone in the fresh produce industry who is involved in postharvest handling and management. It discusses, in detail, the latest disinfection approaches, low-cost treatment strategies, management and protocols to control fresh produce qualities, diseases and insect infestation. - Includes methods to reduce microbial contamination using chlorination, ozone, pulsed light, irradiation and plasma technology - Provides practical applications of recently developed, natural anti-microbial agents for eco-friendly and sustainable solutions - Explores various disinfection technologies for quality assurance and for the development of potential new technologies




Postharvest Decay


Book Description

Written by a diverse group of research professionals, Postharvest Decay: Control Strategies is aimed at a wide audience, including researchers involved in the study of postharvest handling of agricultural commodities, and undergraduate and graduate students researching postharvest topics. Growers, managers, and operators working at packinghouses and storage, retail, and wholesale facilities can also benefit from this book. The information in this book covers a wide range of topics related to selected fungi, such as taxonomy, infection processes, economic importance, causes of infection, the influence of pre-harvest agronomic practices and the environment, the effect of handling operations, and the strategic controls for each host-pathogen, including traditional and non-traditional alternatives. - Includes eleven postharvest fungi causing serious rots in numerous fruits and vegetables - Offers selected microorganisms including pathogens of commercially important tropical, subtropical and temperate crops worldwide, such as tomatoes, pears, apples, peaches, citrus, banana, papaya, and mango, among others - Presents content developed by recognized and experienced high-level scientists, working in the postharvest pathology area worldwide - Provides basic information about each fungus, pre- and postharvest factors that contribute to infection and control measurements, including the use of chemicals and non-traditional methods




Sanitation


Book Description

Finally, an up-to-date guide to cleaning and disinfection for the food preparation and processing industries. It discusses a host of examples from various food industries as well as topics universal to many industries, including biofilm formation, general sanitizing, and clean-in-place systems. Equally, the principles related to contamination, cleaning compounds, sanitizers and cleaning equipment are addressed. As a result, concepts of applied detergency are developed in order to understand and solve problems related to the cleaning and disinfection of laboratories, plants and other industrial environments where foods and beverages are prepared. Essential reading for food industry personnel.




The Water-Food-Energy Nexus


Book Description

Exponential growth of the worldwide population requires increasing amounts of water, food, and energy. However, as the quantity of available fresh water and energy sources directly affecting cost of food production and transportation diminishes, technological solutions are necessary to secure sustainable supplies. In direct response to this reality, this book focuses on the water-energy-food nexus and describes in depth the challenges and processes involved in efficient water and energy production and management, wastewater treatment, and impact upon food and essential commodities. The book is organized into 4 sections on water, food, energy, and the future of sustainability, highlighting the interplay among these topics. The first section emphasizes water desalination, water management, and wastewater treatment. The second section discusses cereal processing, sustainable food security, bioenergy in food production, water and energy consumption in food processing, and mathematical modeling for food undergoing phase changes. The third section discusses fossil fuels, biofuels, synthetic fuels, renewable energy, and carbon capture. Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of the future of sustainability, including coverage of the role of molecular thermodynamics in developing processes and products, green engineering in process systems, petrochemical water splitting, petrochemical approaches to solar hydrogen generation, design and operation strategy of energy-efficient processes, and the sustainability of process, supply chain, and enterprise.




Emerging Food Processing Technologies


Book Description

This volume aims to introduce procedures related to measuring the process parameters involved in emerging food processing technologies, the approaches to measure the process efficiency, and basic guidelines for operating related systems. Chapters are divided into two parts, including nonthermal emerging food processing technologies and thermal emerging food processing technologies. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Emerging Food Processing Technologies aims to provide comprehensive and updated state-of-art methodologies and models for food analysis.