Food Biodeterioration and Preservation

Biodeterioration can be defined as the breakdown of food by agents of microbiological origin, either directly or from products of their metabolism. Microbiological sources can be present in foods prior to packaging or on the surfaces of packaging materials. The shelf life and safety of the food will depend on the type and quantity of microorganism, as well as the hurdles to their growth offered by various preservation techniques. This book discusses how the agents of food biodeterioration operate, and examines the commercially-used industrial methods available to control them, allowing the production of safe and wholesome foods. There is an emphasis on the equipment emplo…