Sustainable Food Drying Techniques in Developing Countries : Prospects and Challenges

This book presents a comprehensive review of renewable energy-based sustainable drying techniques for developing countries. Aspiring towards a world with zero food waste, the book has provided discussion on sustainable drying techniques in terms of energy efficiency. The socio-economic condition of each developing country is unique; therefore, has specific technological requirements. As such, the book presents discussions on food waste scenario around the world, the socio-economic status of developing countries and their correlation with food. The book gives an overview of the quality aspects of drying, along with the required energy and time to retain these features. Additionally, a method of selecting drying techniques for developing countries, taking the cost and safety factor into consideration, has been discussed extensively Also, the renewable and non-renewable energy resources of low income, lower-middle income, middle income, and high-income developing countries have been analyzed and presented. The book also highlights the available drying techniques that are currently being practiced by the consumers and industries of developing countries. The book recommends ten sustainable drying technologies for the developing countries and describes their working principle. Discussion on potential challenges for sustainable drying technology adoption is also presented. The book presents up-to-date research on sustainable drying techniques and their impact on developing countries to reduce food waste.

Food waste is not only a humanitarian concern but also a threat to environmental sustainability. Currently, one-third of all produced food is being wasted, when nearly 805 million people - including children remain undernourished on a daily basis. In an effort to solve this crisis, a number of food preservations techniques are being practiced in food supply chain. Drying is one such preservation technique that prevents microbial proliferation, slows enzymatic reaction and preserves the physio-chemical properties of food. Albeit, drying is an effective means of food preservation; it is also highly energy-intensive. Developing countries do not have sufficient energy and financial resources to adopt conventional (expensive and high energy) drying techniques. As such, this is the first reference work dedicated to discussing the prospects and challenges of sustainable (renewable energy based and inexpensive) drying techniques for developing countries in order to reduce food waste. Sustainable food drying techniques in developing countries: Prospects and Challenges is a singular work in the field of food preservation and affordable drying technology. 

Mahadi Hasan Masud:

Mahadi Hasan Masud received his BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET). He is now serving as a faculty member in Mechanical Engineering of RUET. Moreover, he is currently pursuing his PhD at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. Masud’s research focus is on advanced food preservation techniques, simultaneous heat and mass transfer, renewable energy resources, and biomimicry inspired vehicle design. He authored three popular books from the springer-nature publication, five book chapters, more than 20 refereed journal publications, and more than ten international conference publications. Most of his journal articles are published in highly ranked journals. He is a regular reviewer of several high ranked journals of prominent publishers, including Elsevier, Springer, Nature and Taylor and Francis.

Azharul Karim:

Dr Azharul Karim is currently working as an AssociateProfessor in the Mechanical Engineering Discipline, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. He received his PhD degree from Melbourne University in 2007. Through his scholarly, innovative, high-quality research, he has established a national and international standing. Dr Karim has authored over 194 peer-reviewed articles, including 94 high-quality journal papers, 13 peer-reviewed book chapters, and four books. His papers have attracted about 3100 citations with an h-index of 30. His papers have very high impact worldwide, as demonstrated by his overall field weighted citation index (FWCI) of 2.99. He is editor/board member of six reputed journals, including Drying Technology and Nature Scientific Reports and supervisor of 26 past and current PhD students. He has been keynote/distinguished speaker at scores of international conferences and invited/keynote speakers in seminars in many reputed universities worldwide. He won multiple internationalawards for his outstanding contributions to multidisciplinary fields. His research is directed towards solving acute food industry problems by advanced multiscale and multiphase food drying models of cellular water using theoretical/computational and experimental methodologies. Dr Karim’s global leadership in the fields of food drying and microwave drying is evident by the high impact of his papers, which is significantly higher than world averages. His current research areas are food drying, multiscale and multiphase modelling of food drying, Nanofluid solar thermal storage, concentrating PV-thermal collector, and Lean Healthcare Systems.

Anan Ashrabi Ananno:

Anan Ashrabi Ananno has completed his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET). His research focus is on advanced food preservation techniques, simultaneous heat and mass transfer, renewable energy resources, waste management practices and data science.  He has authored one book, six refereed journals, three book chapters, and three international conference papers. Most of his journal articles are published in regular issues of Elsevier, Springer, Wiley and Taylor and Francis. He is also a regular reviewer of several high ranked journals of prominent publishers, including Elsevier and Springer. He has won multiple international awards in youth innovation challenges and model united nations.

Asif Ahmed:

Asif Ahmed completed his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology. Besides academic career, he works with voluntary social organizations. His current research areas are food drying, renewable energy utilization, and waste management. He authored couple of international peer-reviewed journals and conference publications.