There has been intense research into edible coatings and films in recent years for many reasons, including consumer interests in health, food quality, convenience, and safety; the fact that edible coatings can conceivably reduce the complexity and improve recyclability of packaging; and food scientists and engineers have isolated new materials that present new opportunities in the formation and properties of edible coatings and films. The intent of this book is to introduce newcomers to the field; describe materials appropriate for use; summarize properties; review methods for application; describe approaches for mathematical modeling; and summarize present and potential uses.

The search for strategies to preserve foods with minimal changes during processing is always of great interest. Traditionally, edible films and coatings have been used as a partial barrier to moisture, oxygen, and carbon dioxide through selective permeability to gases, as well as improving mechanical handling properties. This book covers the newest generation of edible films and coatings that are being especially designed to allow the incorporation and/or controlled release of specific additives by means of nanoencapsulation, layer-by-layer assembly, and other promising technologies.

Edible films and coatings play an important role in the quality, safety, transportation, storage, and display of a wide range of fresh and processed foods. Edible films and coatings, while preventing moisture loss and maintaining quality, prevent spoilage and microbial contamination of foods. The edible film and coating industry is now a multimillion dollar industry. Less than $1 million in 1999, the market has grown to more than $100 million and is expected to grow to $350 million by 2008, according to James Rossman of Rossman Consulting. Pharmaceutical and consumer products have been responsible for the tremendous increase. This growth has produced an enormous amount of scientific articles, patents, and research projects undertaken by members of the food industry, academia, and research institutions. Edible Films and Coatings for Food Applications brings together this vast wealth of scientific knowledge in a systematically organized volume. It examines the science, application, function, and market for edible films and coatings.

Since the publication of the first edition of this text, ever-increasing coatings research has led to many developments in the field. Updated and completely revised with the latest discoveries, Edible Coatings and Films to Improve Food Quality, Second Edition is a critical resource for all those involved in buying, selling, regulating, developing, or using coatings to improve the quality and safety of foods. Topics discussed in this volume include: The materials used in edible coatings and films The chemical and physical properties of coatings and how the coating or film ingredients affect these properties How coatings and films present barriers to gases and water vapors How coatings and films can improve appearance, or conversely, result in discoloration and cause other visual defects, as well as how to avoid these problems The use of coatings and films on fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh-cut produce, and processed foods How to apply coatings to various commodities How coatings can function as carriers of useful additives, including color, antioxidants, and flavorings Regulation of coatings and coating ingredients by various governing bodies The information contained in this volume is destined to encourage further advances in this field for food and pharmaceutical products. Aggressive research into these products can help to reduce plastic waste, improve applications, lead to greater efficacy, and make regulatory decisions easier in a global climate—ultimately resulting in economical, heightened quality of food and pharmaceutical products.

Edible films and coatings play an important role in the quality, safety, transportation, storage, and display of a wide range of fresh and processed foods. Edible films and coatings, while preventing moisture loss and maintaining quality, prevent spoilage and microbial contamination of foods. The edible film and coating industry is now a multimillion dollar industry. Less than $1 million in 1999, the market has grown to more than $100 million and is expected to grow to $350 million by 2008, according to James Rossman of Rossman Consulting. Pharmaceutical and consumer products have been responsible for the tremendous increase. This growth has produced an enormous amount of scientific articles, patents, and research projects undertaken by members of the food industry, academia, and research institutions. Edible Films and Coatings for Food Applications brings together this vast wealth of scientific knowledge in a systematically organized volume. It examines the science, application, function, and market for edible films and coatings.

Edible films and coatings: characteristics, formation, definitions, and testing methods; Edible coatings for fresh fruits and vegetables: past, present and future; Development of edible coatings for minimally processed fruits and vegetables; Edible coatings and films for processed foods; Flavor encapsulation; Edible coatings as carriers of food additives, fungicides natural antagonists; Permeability properties of edible films; Application of coatings; Edible coatings and films based on proteins; Edible coatings from lipids and resins; Edible coatings and films based on polysaccharides; Mathematical modeling of moisture transfer in food systems with edible coatings.