Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food Processing : Opportunities and Challenges

An instructive and comprehensive overview of the use of biotechnology in various agriculture and food applications, this book discusses the current status of applications for improving quality and productivity of agriculture and food products. It discusses plant tissue culture techniques, genetic engineering in food ingredient production, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, enzymes, genetically modified foods, etc. The book is divided into four parts: fundamental concepts, biotechnology in agriculture, biotechnology in food processing and biotechnological management of crop residues and waste/by-products of agro industries.

An instructive and comprehensive overview of the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production, Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food Processing: Opportunities and Challenges discusses how biotechnology can improve the quality and productivity of agriculture and food products. It includes current topics such as GM foods, enzymes, and production of various types of food ingredients as well as basic ones such as the concept of biotechnology, plant cell, and tissue culture. Combining coverage of agriculture and food processing, the book highlights the range of biotechnology applications from "farm to fork."

The book begins with the fundamental concepts of the role of biotechnology and genomics in agriculture and food processing. Building on this, it then focuses on specific applications of biotechnology in agriculture and includes chapters on plant cell and tissue culture techniques, genetic transformation in crop improvement, and the production of biofertilizers and biopesticides. The authors cover different aspects of biotechnology in food processing such as production of fermented foods, functional foods, enzymes in food processing, production of polysaccharides, production of sweeteners, biocolors and bioflavors, and genetically modified foods. They then examine the management of crop residues and by-products of agro-industries, comprising mushroom production and value addition to agro-industrial wastes and residues.

Biotechnology has been recognized as one of the key technologies for increasing economic growth. With chapters written by leading experts in this field, the book provides a better understanding of how biotechnology applications can reduce production costs, improve productivity, and enhance product quality in the agro food processing sector.