ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the use of computational-based optimization algorithms in major real-world applications, intending to find global optimum solutions for food processing industry issues. Multi-objective optimization problems of modern food processing operations, whether constrained or unconstrained, have been resolved using new hybrid optimizers. Food processing industries involve a large number of unit operations, each governed by a series of dynamic conditions that include mass, heat and momentum transfer operations. Quality parameters of the final food product play an important role in the consumer acceptability and approval by the food safety standard norms. Performance of a drying process in the food industry is assessed from improvement in manufacturing quality and reduction in energy consumption. Thermal processing is an active food preservation strategy, for inactivation of microbial spores that are a public health concern or of microbial species responsible for spoilage of foods in containers.
