While ecology as a whole continues to receive considerable attention, postharvest food handling, until recently, had not been examined from a green perspective. This has changed as health-conscious consumers look to improve both their diets and their environment. Environmentally Friendly Technologies for Agricultural Produce Quality is the first book to take a focused look from an ecological point of view at the way produce is preserved, packaged, and shipped. The book's editor, Shimshon Ben-Yehoshua, a leader in the international scientific community, presents a framework he refers to as the triple bottom line, which takes into consideration economic and societal issues and an environmental perspective.
Experts and eminent researchers discuss recent developments, such as the use of genetic engineering, modified atmosphere packaging, pest control for durable and perishable produce, all designed to reduce spoilage without compromising quality or negatively impacting the environment. Keeping faith with the triple bottom line, the book explores related topics such as innovations in transportation and the value of produce to human health. This book makes an excellent handbook for postharvest professionals and others handlers of produce as well as a textbook for students preparing to meet the needs of a health and ecology conscious society.
This book focuses on the most recent environmentally-friendly technologies, such as physical treatments of heat and modified atmospheric packaging, developed to reduce spoilage and maintain the quality of produce. Internationally recognized investigators review the latest knowledge in this field. With several chapters written by the researchers who developed recent scientific breakthroughs, the book details newer technologies in heat treatment that help reduce decay, scalding, and chilling injury. Other topics include the technological revolution in transportation of produce from the producing countries to the consuming countries, and the growing trend of demand for fresh cut products.
"?answers the urgent need for an authoritative and informative volume concerning the important influence of environmental issues on produce quality. ?Its [15] chapters are written by individuals well qualified to review the progress being made in their areas of expertise. ?I am confident that any reader concerned with nontoxic preservation of food, and its effects on the quality of our life will find this book a significant contribution to the field."-From the Preface by Eric E. Conn, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, University of California, Davis, member of the United States Academy of Science.
