What is Soil pH and Why is it important in farming? - Chemosmart

     Food Industry  

              Proteins, fats,and carbohydrates are the main constituents of food. They are all digested by cells and organisms, and are converted back to their monomers. These monomers are then used as the building blocks for new molecular structures, or as a source of enegy. 

                 Much of technology developed for the food industry is useful to other industries and vice-versa. The need of pre-proceasing and processing of food products for daily life has arisen because many people are away from home. Because of this, the demand for quality of food, high quality standards has led to modernized processing methods. 

                 Food industry is vary large (more than twice) as compared to the  total chemical processing industry. This with reference to the value of product and employment. So good technologists are as important as chemical engineers. 

         The important function of food manufacturing industry is to transform raw farm product into  material satisfactory for consumption. 

            As compared to the chemical process industry, the investment in food industry is less. Customers and manufacturers repeatedly hold responsible the food processing industry of under costs. These costs are, however similar to the manufacturing costs of other industries.

Food processing:

            Food and processing industries require similar type of instruments or equipment to that for other industries. Gases, liquids, solids and their various combinations must be controlled without decay of the product or damage to the equipment. 

          Cleanliness is very important in food industries. Correct selection of materials, proper design of equipment and fixtures are always needed. The international Association of milk, food and Environmental Sanitarians, the Dairy Industry Committee and the Food and Industry Supply Association are the footing of design and fabrication. 

           Most important developments basic to the growth of the food industry include: Pasteurization, drying and dehydration, development of material capable of withstanding food products without affecting them, sterilization, freezing handling of materials, use of automatic controls, sanitizing and cleaning processes. 

Nutritive Aspects of food Constituents:

                Food supplies both the energy for all of the body's functions and the building blocks for growth and maintenance. Even in fully growth adults there is requirement of food for enegy and maintenance of body components. 

            Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals are the important nutrients in food. These are required in balanced amounts  to produce and maintain optimum health. Water, not generally  classified as a nutrient but must not be overlooked, because lack of water is life threatening. 

Food Deterioration Factors and Their Control:

                Food is rendered unfit for human consumption due to the physical and  chemical changes taking place in it. These changes are due to air, heat, light, and moisture. These factors encourage the growth of microorganisms in food. 

        

            Foods take different intervals of time to lose their natural appearance through deterioration. Perishable food like meat, fish, milk, many fruits and vegetables begin to spoil immediately unless suitably preserved.There is another class of food known as semi-perishable foods. These includes eggs, onions and potatoes. They can kept for several weeks in a cool dry place. Non-perishable foods like cereals, pulses, rice, wheat, and nuts can be stored for long periods of time.