The importance of processing and packaging food items so that they are safe for the consumer cannot be underestimated. Sensors have an important role to play in this, and sensing technologies have attracted the attention of the scientific community in view of increasing environmental and societal concerns. This edited volume presents a collection of ten chapters discussing the current trends of bio- and nano-sensing technologies for processing and packaging of food items. Starting with an overview chapter which introduces the field, the book goes on to discuss novel applications related to preservation, authenticity and safety of foods. Intelligent food packaging and nano-based sensing are covered, and the book finishes with a look towards the pros and cons of how this will revolutionise sensing throughout the food sector. It will be of benefit to scientists and practising professionals conducting research in the areas of food processing, contamination and food safety, and academic researchers and graduate students studying food technology or food engineering.

The importance of processing and packaging food items so that they are safe for the consumer cannot be underestimated. Sensors have an important role to play in this, and sensing technologies have attracted the attention of the scientific community in view of increasing environmental and societal concerns. This edited volume presents a collection of ten chapters discussing the current trends of bio- and nano-sensing technologies for processing and packaging of food items. Starting with an overview chapter which introduces the field, the book goes on to discuss novel applications related to preservation, authenticity and safety of foods. Intelligent food packaging and nano-based sensing are covered, and the book finishes with a look towards the pros and cons of how this will revolutionise sensing throughout the food sector. It will be of benefit to scientists and practising professionals conducting research in the areas of food processing, contamination and food safety, and academic researchers and graduate students studying food technology or food engineering.

This book details recent advances in the applications of nanobiofertilizers as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers in boosting food production. With the steady rise of the world’s population, there is a need to increase the production of safe and nutritious food. The constant loss of arable land, as a result of various anthropogenic activities from human action, has become a threat to global biodiversity and ecosystems. Additionally, the issue of climate change has imposed many obstacles to increasing agricultural productivity, especially from biotic and abiotic stressors and temperature-limited environments, such as in high altitudes or seasonally hot regions. Because of these factors, there is a need to adopt sustainable and modern technologies that can boost and improve the rate of food production. One of the cheapest means of enhancing sustainable food production is to explore natural and unlimited beneficial microorganisms, particularly those that can increase the level of soil fertility, improve crop production and health, improve tolerance to stress, support nutrient uptake and availability, and boost natural biodiversity. The synergetic effect of nanotechnology and beneficial microorganisms for the effective bio-fabrication of nanobiofertilizers, is a sustainable solution for producing pesticide-free food. This book provides a deep insight into microbial diversity, recent techniques used for the isolation, screening, and characterization of beneficial microorganisms with eco-friendly attributes, used for bioengineering of nanobiofertilizers, as well as the application of proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, and bioinformatics. The book also covers commercialization, patents, and the business and socio-economic aspects of nanobiofertilizers, as well as the role of policymakers, stakeholders, and government agencies in the translation of nanobioferilizer research into policy. Audience The book is a useful resource for a diverse audience, including industrialists, food industry professionals, agriculturists, agricultural microbiologists, plant pathologists, botanists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, nanotechnologists, microbial biotechnologists, farmers, policymakers, and extension workers.

This book gives readers a practical introduction into machine learning and sensing techniques, their design and ultimately specific applications that could improve food production. It shows how these sensing and computing systems are suitable for process implementation in food factories. This book starts by giving the reader an overview of the historic structures of food manufacturing standards and how they defined today’s manufacturing. It is followed by a topical introduction for professionals in the food industries in topics such as AI, machine learning, and neural networks. It also includes an explanation of the different sensor systems and their basic principles. It shows how these sensing and computing systems are suitable for process implementation in food factories and what types of sensing systems have already been proven to deliver benefit to the food manufacturing industries. The authors also discuss issues around food safety, labelling, and traceability and how sensing and AI can help to resolve issues. They also use case studies and specific examples that can show the benefit of such technologies compared to current approaches. This book is a practical introduction and handbook for students, food engineers, technologists and process engineers on the benefits and challenges around modern manufacturing systems following Industry 4.0 approaches.

Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications explores the use of chitosan-based nanoparticles as a sustainable solution for the development of improved therapeutic and diagnostic techniques. A range of biomedical applications is reviewed, including treatment against highly resistant bacteria and parasites; tissue regeneration; drug delivery, and more. Moreover, the application of chitosan-based nanoparticles for the effective delivery of hormones, vaccines, phytochemicals, nutraceuticals, and their application in immobilization of enzymes is also discussed in detail. This book provides a state-of-the-art overview for materials scientists, pharmaceutical scientists, and researchers with an interest in the development of novel materials for therapeutics. - Provides a comprehensive overview of chitosan-based nanoparticles, from extraction, synthesis and characterization to biomedical applications, clinical trials and toxicological considerations - Covers a range of biomedical applications, including nutraceuticals, wound healing, antimicrobial treatment, cancer therapeutics, and more - Utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, combining materials science, biochemistry, and bioscience inputs to appeal to a broad audience

Handbook of AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY This book provides state-of-the-art information about recent advancements in the application of nanobiofungicides for effective management of post-harvest diseases and agricultural fungal diseases, including blights, mildews, molds, and rusts. The book details the formulation and standardization of nanobiofungicides, as well as their application in the management of biotic and abiotic stress. It provides relevant information on the isolation, characterization, purification, and structural characterization of active constituents, using spectroscopic techniques and explains the quarantine and regulatory issues that are associated with nanobiofungicides (derived from plants and other biogenic sources), as well as various regulatory bodies that manage the control of pesticides on agricultural products. Readers will learn about the application of nanobiofungicides when applied as a biocontrol agent against soil-borne and root-borne plant pathogens; the management of mycotoxin; the non-target effect of plant-based nanobiofungicides when applied in the greenhouse and field (such as rate of CO2 evolution, organic carbon content, enzymatic activity, acidic and alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenases, urease, and protease); and the effect on soil microorganisms using different assay techniques. Furthermore, the book provides information on several plant materials that could serve as nanobiofungicdes, and explains the procedure involved in the characterization of plant-based nanobiofungicides (using TEM, SEM, XRD, EDX, UV, zeta potential, dynamic light-scattering). Finally, it offers a specific illustration on the application of microencapsulation and nanoformulation technology in the synthesis of plant-based nanobiofungicides. Audience The book is a useful resource for a diverse audience, including industrialists, food industry professionals, agriculturists, agricultural microbiologists, plant pathologists, botanists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, nanotechnologists, microbial biotechnologists, farmers, policymakers, and extension workers.

Bio-based Nanomaterials: Synthesis Protocols, Mechanisms and Applications summarizes recent developments in biocompatible and biodegradable materials, including their properties, fabrication methods, synthesis protocols and applications. The extensive use of petrochemicals, rising levels of plastic waste and manufacturing of non-biodegradable materials is a major environmental problem across the globe. Bio-based nanomaterials offer potential alternatives to address these challenging issues. The book covers key bio-based nanomaterials - including chitin, starch and nanocellulose – detailing their core properties, associated fabrication methods and synthesis protocols. Later chapters look at the range of applications for bio-based nanomaterials, from food and agriculture to environmental and biomedical. This book offers a detailed reference for those interested in sustainable nanoscale materials, including materials scientists, biomedical engineers, environmental scientists, food and agriculture manufacturers and scientists. - Covers a range of available bio-based nanomaterials, including chitin, starch and nanocellulose - Details the properties and characteristics of each bio-based nanomaterial, focusing on biocompatibility and biodegradability of sustainable materials - Reviews the fabrication methods and synthesis protocols available, discussing the pros and cons of each