Page 17 - Biosystems Engineering

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about soil’s physical and chemical properties, and plant physiology
to understand the interaction of the plant roots with the soil. Irriga-
tion systems are designed to deliver water for optimum plant growth
whereas drainage systems remove excess water and salts from the
soil and maintain optimum aeration of the plant root zone.
The pyrolysis of biomass results in the formation of crude bio-oil,
char, and gases. The current status, opportunities, and challenges to
convert biomass into second generation transportation fuels via
pyrolysis and bio-oil refineries are discussed in Chapter 7.
Biodiesel is the methyl or other alkyl esters of vegetable oils, ani-
mal fats, or used cooking oils. Different techniques of preparation of
biodiesel and ethanol and their engine performance are discussed in
detail in Chapter 8.
Chapter 9 discusses bioseparation processes which involve recov-
ery, isolation, purification, and polishing of products synthesized
by biotechnological processes.
Food safety management is of prime importance in maintaining
consumer confidence and is critical for a healthy population and
economy. Chapter 10 is the discussion of food safety management
which refers to the process of ensuring and controlling food safety
through regulation or other policy mechanisms, for the health and
well-being of consumers.
Chapter 11 presents selected aspects of food package engineering
which gives an overview of the most commonly used materials for
foodstuff wrapping including their processing and manufacturing,
physical and barrier properties of packaging materials, and recent
technological advances.
Productivity and quality of transgenic wood are discussed in
Chapter 12.
Chapter 13 discusses different processes of extraction and refin-
ing of edible oils. Extraction of antioxidants and their functions for
the stabilization of edible oils have been presented.
Olive oil is very popular and highly used oil in the world because
it has nutraceutical values. Chapter 14 discusses about the phenolic
substances present in the olives (olea europeae) and related olive-mill
products.
Bioregulators are known to have an effect on a number of physi-
ological processes taking place during the acquisition of mineral con-
tent and storage quality of fruits. Chapter 15 discusses the effect of
exogenous bioregulators on the mineral composition and storability
of fruits.
Carbon dioxide is a potential extraction solvent alternative to the
traditional organic solvents. Supercritical carbon dioxide has the
advantages of low cost, nontoxicity, high diffusivities with apprecia-
ble solubility, and low viscosity, and its application in the biosystem
are discussed in Chapter 16.