Food engineering

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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Food engineering is a multidisciplinary field of applied physical sciences which combines science, microbiology, and engineering education for food and related industries. Food engineering includes, but is not limited to, the application of agricultural engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering principles to food materials.

History[edit | edit source]

The origins of food engineering can be traced back to the early 20th century when the need for mass production and preservation of food became critical. The development of canning, pasteurization, and refrigeration technologies were significant milestones in the field.

Principles[edit | edit source]

Food engineering involves the application of various engineering principles to the processing, production, packaging, and distribution of food. Key principles include:

  • Thermodynamics: Understanding heat transfer and energy balance in food processing.
  • Fluid dynamics: Studying the flow behavior of liquids and gases in food systems.
  • Mass transfer: Analyzing the movement of components within food products.
  • Kinetics: Investigating the rates of chemical reactions and microbial growth in food.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Food engineering has numerous applications in the food industry, including:

Education and Careers[edit | edit source]

A career in food engineering typically requires a degree in food science, chemical engineering, or a related field. Professionals in this field work in various sectors, including food manufacturing, research and development, and quality assurance.

Related Fields[edit | edit source]

Food engineering is closely related to several other disciplines, including:

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD