Fundamentals of food preservation

Environmental sustainability in food preservation and processing has gained importance in recent food science due to urgent concerns about food wastage, environmental degradation, and food security. The chapter presents a discussion of eco-friendly preservation approaches, which include biodegradable packaging, renewable energy-based processing, and natural preservatives. The importance of sustainable processing techniques, such as cold plasma treatment, high pressure, and fermentation, in improving the quality of food while minimizing energy and carbon emissions will be discussed. Additionally, tools such as green technologies, the incorporation of nanotechnology, smart sensors, and blockchain are discussed to provide transparency in supply chains, among others. Issues concerning compliance, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of food systems, as well as consumer acceptance, are also addressed. The future trends have been focusing on the circular economy, sustainable food-packaging solutions, and the development of resource-efficient processing technologies that ensure the long-term benefits of both environmental and economic impact.