Advances In Fresh Cut Fruits And Vegetables Processing

Despite a worldwide increase in demand for fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, in many countries these products are prepared in uncontrolled conditions and have the potential to pose substantial risk for consumers. Correspondingly, researchers have ramped up efforts to provide adequate technologies and practices to assure product safety while keeping n

Because they meet the needs of today’s consumers, fresh-cut plant products are currently one of the hottest commodities in the food market of industrialized countries. However, fresh-cut produce deteriorates faster than the correspondent intact produce. The main purpose of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Technology, Physiology, and Safety is to provide helpful guidelines to the industry for minimizing deterioration, keeping the overall quality, and lengthening the shelf life. It provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach for accomplishing the challenges, where raw materials, handling, minimal processing, packaging, commercial distribution, and retail sale must be well managed. It covers technology, physiology, quality, and safety of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. In this book, the chapters follow a logical sequence analyzing most of the important factors affecting the main characteristics of fresh-cut horticultural products. The most relevant technologies to prevent deterioration and improve final overall quality of fresh-cut commodities are described in detail. This book covers the basics of the subject from quality preservation, nutritional losses, physiology, and safety to industry-oriented advancements in sanitization, coatings, and packaging. It examines such novel preservation technologies as edible coatings, antimicrobial coatings, natural antimicrobials, gum arabic coatings, and pulsed light treatments. Minimal processing design and industrial equipment are also reviewed. With its international team of contributors, this book will be an essential reference work both for professionals involved in the postharvest handling of fresh-cut and minimally processed fruits and vegetables and for academic and researchers working in the area.

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.

Vegetables are an important article of commerce both in developed and developing economies. Many studies point to importance of vegetables in our diet. Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing serves as a reference handbook on vegetables and vegetable processing containing the latest developments and advances in this fast growing field. The book can be considered as a companion to Y. H. Hui’s popular Handbook of Fruits and Fruit Processing (2006). Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing is contemporary in scope, with in-depth coverage of new interdisciplinary developments and practices in the field of vegetables emphasizing processing, preservation, packaging, and nutrition and food safety. Coverage includes chapters on the biology, horticultural biochemistry, microbiology, nutrient and bioactive properties of vegetables and their significant commercialization by the food industry worldwide. Full chapters are devoted to major vegetables describing aspects ranging from chemistry to processing and preservation. World-renowned editors and authors have contributed to this essential handbook on vegetables and their production, technology, storage, processing, packaging, safety and commercial product development. Special Features: Coverage includes biology and classification, physiology, biochemistry, flavor and sensory properties, microbial safety and HACCP principles, nutrient and bioactive properties In-depth descriptions of key processes including, minimal processing, freezing, pasteurization and aseptic processing, fermentation, drying, packaging, and application of new technologies Entire chapters devoted to important aspects of over 20 major commercial vegetables including avocado, table olives and textured vegetable proteins Unparalleled expertise on important topics from more than 50 respected authors

The new edition of this highly acclaimed reference provides comprehensive and current information on a wide variety of fruits and processes. Revised and updated by an international team of contributors, the second edition includes the latest advances in processing technology, scientific research, and regulatory requirements. Expanded coverage inclu

Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Technologies and Mechanisms for Safety Control covers conventional and emerging technologies in one single source to help industry professionals maintain and enhance nutritional and sensorial quality of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables from a quality and safety perspective. The book provides available literature on different approaches used in fresh-cut processing to ensure safety and quality. It discusses techniques with the aim of preserving quality and safety in sometimes unpredictable environments. Sanitizers, antioxidants, texturizers, natural additives, fortificants, probiotics, edible coatings, active and intelligent packaging are all presented. Both advantages and potential consequences are included to ensure microbial safety, shelf-life stability and preservation of organoleptic and nutritional quality. Industry researchers, professionals and students will all find this resource essential to understand the feasibility and operability of these techniques in modern-day processing to make informed choices. Provides current information on microbial infection, quality preservation, and technology with in-depth discussions on safety mechanisms Presents ways to avoid residue avoidance in packaging and preservation Includes quality issues of microbial degradation and presents solutions for pre-harvest management

Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables: Science, Technology, and Market provides a comprehensive reference source for the emerging fresh-cut fruits and vegetables industry. It focuses on the unique biochemical, physiological, microbiological, and quality changes in fresh-cut processing and storage and on the distinct equipment design, packaging requirements, production economics, and marketing considerations for fresh-cut products. Based on the extensive research in this area during the past 10 years, this reference is the first to cover the complete spectrum of science, technology, and marketing issues related to this field, including production, processing, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, safety, engineering, sensory, biotechnology, and economics. ABOUT THE EDITOR: Olusola Lamikanra, Ph.D., is a Research Chemist and Lead Scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and his Ph.D. from the University of Leeds, England. He was Professor in the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Center for Viticultural Science and Small Farm Development at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee. Dr. Lamikanra is the author of more than 100 publications.

Introduction to minimally processed refrigerated fruits and vegetables; Initial preparation, handling, and distribution of minimally processed refrigerated fruits; Preservation methods for minimally processed refrigerated fruits and vegetables; Packing of minimally processed fruits and vegetables; Some biological and physical principles underlying modified atmosphere packaging; Microbiological spoilage and pathogens in minimally processed refrigerated fruits and vegetables; Nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables subjetc to minimally processes; Regulatory issues associated with minimally processed refrigerated foods.