This review article summarizes some studies that described alterations in microbial counts and diversity in bottled water products during postpackaging shelf life. It also discusses prevalent microbial groups recovered from bottled water samples in different parts of the world. Finally, it explores some of the advantages of contemporary microbial detection and characterization approaches, with a particular emphasis on implications for traceability and quality assurance in the food industry. Adequate understanding of the microbial ecology of bottled water can aid traceability for example, tracking the origin and quality of products throughout shelf life. Understanding the microbial diversity and factors that influence its changes through shelf life can meaningfully contribute to ensuring product integrity as well as consumer and public health safety.
The continuous growth of global food production has led to a significant increase in food byproducts, which are often discarded, causing environmental pollution and wasting valuable resources. Given that many byproducts are sources of valuable compounds, this review explores the application of microbial fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis, two of the most promising bioprocessing methods, in various food byproducts, and finds that bioconversion methods can transform food byproducts into various value-added products. Moreover, the article discusses the challenges faced in implementing these bioprocessing methods and provides insights into future perspectives. In summary, by transforming waste into wealth, we can create new opportunities for economic growth while mitigating the negative environmental impact of the food industry.
With the trends of smart kitchens, more intelligent and fast cooking methods are gradually replacing traditional cooking methods. Microwave combined with hot air, commonly used in the industry for food drying, is a new cooking technology with great potential for applications in home cooking such as baking, frying, reheating, and thawing. This review introduces the basic principles of microwave and hot air technology and the advantages in home cooking. The combination of microwave and hot air can compensate for the shortcomings of traditional microwave ovens in baking and frying. By using microwaves to enhance energy conversion efficiency and significantly reduce cooking time, this combination broadens the application range of household microwave ovens and holds great potential in the future of digital cooking.