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.

The search for better strategies to preserve foods with minimal changes during processing has been of great interest in recent decades. 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. The advances in this area have been breathtaking, and in fact their implementation in the industry is already a reality. Even so, there are still new developments in various fields and from various perspectives worth reporting. Edible Films and Coatings: Fundamentals and Applications discusses 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. Covering the latest novelties in research conducted in the field of edible packaging, it considers state-of-the-art innovations in coatings and films; novel applications, particularly in the design of gourmet foods; new advances in the incorporation of bioactive compounds; and potential applications in agronomy, an as yet little explored area, which could provide considerable advances in the preservation and quality of foods in the field.

The search for better strategies to preserve foods with minimal changes during processing has been of great interest in recent decades. 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. The advances in this area have been breathtaking, and in fact their implementation in the industry is already a reality. Even so, there are still new developments in various fields and from various perspectives worth reporting. Edible Films and Coatings: Fundamentals and Applications discusses 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. Covering the latest novelties in research conducted in the field of edible packaging, it considers state-of-the-art innovations in coatings and films; novel applications, particularly in the design of gourmet foods; new advances in the incorporation of bioactive compounds; and potential applications in agronomy, an as yet little explored area, which could provide considerable advances in the preservation and quality of foods in the field.

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.

Consumer demand for a year-round supply of seasonal produce and ready-made meals remains the driving force behind innovation in frozen food technology. Now in its second edition, Handbook of Frozen Food Processing and Packaging explores the art and science of frozen foods and assembles essential data and references relied upon by scientists in universities and research institutions. Highlights in the Second Edition include: Original chapters revised and updated with the latest developments New section on Emerging Technologies in Food Freezing, with chapters on ultrasound accelerated freezing, high-pressure shift freezing, electrostatic field-assisted food freezing, and antifreeze proteins New section on Trends in Frozen Food Packaging, with chapters on active packaging, intelligent packaging, vacuum packaging, and edible coatings and films and their applications on frozen foods This volume continues the tradition of the benchmark first edition, capturing the latest developments on the cutting edge of frozen food science. In addition to updated coverage of quality and safety issues and monitoring and measuring techniques, it highlights emerging technologies and trends, all in the format that made the previous edition so popular. It offers the tools needed to develop new and better products, keeping up with consumer demand for safe and convenient frozen foods.

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 of the food product. As nanotechnology and other technologies have developed, new and important options for maximizing the role of packaging have emerged. This book specifically examines the whole range of modern packaging options. It covers edible packaging based on carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, antioxidative and antimicrobial packaging, and chemistry issues of food and food packaging, such as plasticization and polymer morphology. Professionals involved in food safety and shelf life, as well as researchers and students of food science, will find great value in this complete and updated overview. New to this edition: Over 60% updated content — including nine completely new chapters — with the latest developments in technology, processes and materials Now includes bioplastics, biopolymers, nanoparticles, and eco-design of packaging