Banana Handbook: Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology, and Nutrition

A comprehensive guide that covers the banana's full value chain ― from production to consumption 

The banana is the world's fourth major fruit crop. Offering a unique and in-depth overview of the fruit's entire value chain, this important new handbook charts its progression from production through to harvest, postharvest, processing, and consumption. The most up-to-date data and best practices are drawn together to present guidelines on innovative storage, processing, and packaging technologies, while fresh approaches to quality management and the value-added utilization of banana byproducts are also explained. Additionally, the book examines the banana's physiology, nutritional significance, and potential diseases and pests. The book also Edited by noted experts in the field of food science, this essential text:

• Provides a new examination of the world's fourth major fruit crop
• Covers the fruit's entire value chain
• Offers dedicated chapters on bioactive and phytochemical compounds found in bananas and the potential of processing byproducts
• Gives insight into bananas' antioxidant content and other nutritional properties
• Identifies and explains present and possible effects of bioactive and phytochemical compounds

Handbook of Banana Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology, and Nutrition offers the most far-reaching overview of the banana currently available. It will be of great benefit to food industry professionals specializing in fruit processing, packaging, and manufacturing banana-based products. The book is also an excellent resource for those studying or researching food technology, food science, food engineering, food packaging, applied nutrition, biotechnology, and more.

Muhammad Siddiq, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Food Science at Michigan State University, USA, and a Food Science Consultant, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. His area of expertise is postharvest biochemistry and value-added processing of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based commodities. He is associate editor of  the Legume Science (Wiley);  was an associate editor of the Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing; and  has  been the lead editor of five other books including Tropical and Subtropical Fruits Packaging, Processing and Nutrition.

Jasim Ahmed, PhD, is a Research Scientist at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, and has been the author or co-author of 150 journal articles, over 50 conference papers, and 35 book chapters. He has co-edited eight books, including  Glass and State Transitions in Food and Biological Materials  and  Handbook of Food Process Design. He is editor-in-chief of Legume Science (Wiley) and a professional member of the Institute of Food Technology (IFT). 

Gloria Lobo, PhD, is a Tenured Scientist at the Postharvest and Food Technology Laboratory, Tropical Fruits Department, Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias, Canary Island (Spain). Her published work includes postharvest quality aspects including minimal processing of tropical fruits, mainly banana, papaya, and pineapple. She is co-editor of  Pineapple Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology and Nutrition and Tropical and Subtropical Fruits – Postharvest Physiology, Processing, and Nutrition.