Fossil carbon-based plastics are widely used for food and drink packaging due to their excellent mechanical properties and ability to ensure the safety and quality of the product, often for extended periods. However, these materials are an increasing cause for concern due to their detrimental impact on the environment and wildlife. This has driven an interest in the use of alternative non-fossil carbon bio-based materials for use in food contact applications and bio-based and biodegradable...

This study offers an analysis of the UK's current economic policy options and a plan for improving life for ordinary citizens via a sensible and realistic understanding of governments' limited ability to manage economic performance. It provides a manifesto which political parties could immediately adopt to make life better for all.

In 1988, when "Scientific Bases of Acupuncture" was published, its edi tors noted that 12 years had passed since the acupuncture endorphin hypothesis was first postulated, an event that marked the start of serious basic research on acupuncture. The editors also suggested that more was known about the mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia than many pro cedures of conventional medicine and, in consequence, it was time to stop referring to acupuncture as an "experimental procedure. " Now anothe...

Methods for identification and measurement of existing and newly discovered contaminants are required, especially those that are cheap, simple and rapid, so that testing may be more frequent within the food supply chain. This book examines the formation of toxic compounds during the processing of food and strategies to mitigate their creation. Modification of process conditions can reduce the health risks posed by these compounds to consumers.This new volume will update knowledge on...

This new edition of Innovations in Food Packaging ensures that readers have the most current information on food packaging options, including active packaging, intelligent packaging, edible/biodegradable packaging, nanocomposites and other options for package design. Today's packaging not only contains and protects food, but where possible and appropriate, it can assist in inventory control, consumer education, increased market availability and shelf life, and even in ensuring the safety o...

According to an August 2009 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, the United States market for functional foods in 2007 was US$ 27 billion. Forecasts of growth range from between 8.5% and 20% per year, or about four times that of the food industry in general. Global demand by 2013 is expected to be about $100 billion. With this demand for new products comes a demand for product development and supporting literature for that purpose. There is a wealth of research and development in this area ...

Food Packaging: Innovations and Shelf-life covers recently investigated developments in food packaging and their influence in food quality preservation, shelf-life extension, and simulation techniques. Additionally, the book discusses the environmental impact and sustainable solutions of food packaging. This book is divided into seven chapters, written by worldwide experts. The book is an ideal reference source for university students, food engineers and researchers from R&D laboratories w...

Chemistry of Food Additives and PreservativesFood additives are chemicals or ingredients that are added to food during processing to improve quality, flavour, appearance or nutritional value, or to prevent chemical or microbial spoilage. The most common types of additives are preservatives, colourants, sweeteners, flavourings, emulsifiers, thickeners and stabilisers. Adding new ingredients to a food has an effect upon its chemistry and structure as well as its sens...

Food Engineering Innovations Across the Food Supply Chain discusses the technology advances and innovations into industrial applications to improve supply chain sustainability and food security. The book captures the highlights of the 13th International Congress of Engineering ICEF13 under selected congress themes, including Sustainable Food Systems, Food Security, Advances in Food Process Engineering, Novel Food Processing Technologies, Food Process Systems Engineering and Modeling, among...

Bacteria, yeast, fungi and microalgae can act as producers (or catalysts for the production) of food ingredients, enzymes and nutraceuticals. With the current trend towards the use of natural ingredients in foods, there is renewed interest in microbial flavours and colours, food bioprocessing using enzymes and food biopreservation using bacteriocins. Microbial production of substances such as organic acids and hydrocolloids also remains an important and fast-changing area of research. Micr...

This book focuses on starch polymers including starch genetics, biotechnological and chemical modification, nanostructures, processing, characterization, properties and applications. This books topic is in a cutting edge and emerging technology area of biomaterials, nanomaterials and renewable materials, and will involve international experts in diverse fields from genetic engineering to applications. - Focuses on cutting edge applications of starch polymers, including starch genetics and ...

Bio-Based PackagingBio-Based PackagingAn authoritative and up-to-date review of sustainable packaging development and applicationsBio-Based Packaging explores using renewable and biodegradable materials as sustainable alternatives to non-renewable, petroleum-based packaging. This comprehensive volume surveys the properties of biopolymers, the environmental and economic impact of bio-based packaging, and new...