Advanced Diploma in Food Processing
*Core Subjects/Syllabus*
*Semester 1: Fundamentals of Food Processing*
1. *Food Chemistry and Biochemistry*
- Composition of food (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins).
- Enzymatic reactions, Maillard reaction, and food spoilage mechanisms.
2. *Food Microbiology and Safety*
- Microbial contamination (bacteria, yeast, Molds).
- HACCP, ISO 22000, and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
3. *Principles of Food Preservation*
- Thermal processing (pasteurization, sterilization, UHT).
- Non-thermal methods (freezing, dehydration, irradiation).
4. *Unit Operations in Food Processing*
- Size reduction, mixing, extrusion, and homogenization.
- Equipment design and process flow diagrams.
5. *Food Laws and Regulations*
- FSSAI (India), FDA (USA), EU food safety standards.
- Labelling, packaging laws, and global trade compliance.
*Semester 2: Advanced Processing Technologies*
6. *Dairy and Meat Processing*
- Milk pasteurization, cheese production, and meat curing.
- Fermented products (yogurt, sausages) and shelf-life enhancement.
7. *Fruit, Vegetable, and Cereal Processing*
- Canning, juicing, and freeze-drying techniques.
- Flour milling, baking, and extrusion of snacks.
8. *Food Packaging Technology*
- Active and intelligent packaging.
- Sustainable materials (biodegradable films, edible coatings).
9. *Quality Control and Assurance*
- Analytical methods (HPLC, GC-MS, spectrophotometry).
- Sensory evaluation and statistical process control (SPC).
10. *Food Additives and Ingredients*
- Role of preservatives, emulsifiers, and flavour enhancers.
- Natural vs. synthetic additives and clean-label trends.
*Semester 3: Industrial Applications and Innovation*
11. *Food Process Engineering*
- Heat and mass transfer in food systems.
- Process optimization using Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing.
12. *Novel Food Technologies*
- High-pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electric fields (PEF).
- Nanotechnology and encapsulation for nutrient delivery.
13. *Waste Management and Sustainability*
- Byproduct utilization (e.g., fruit peels, whey).
- Energy-efficient processing and carbon footprint reduction.
14. *Food Product Development*
- R&D for new products (plant-based foods, functional foods).
- Scaling up from lab to industrial production.
15. *Capstone Project/Internship*
- Industry project: Designing a food processing line or solving a quality issue.
- Internship with food manufacturing units or R&D labs.
*Elective Subjects (Choose 2–3)*
- *Beverage Technology* (soft drinks, brewing, distillation).
- *Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods*.
- *Food Supply Chain and Logistics*.
- *Food Biotechnology* (enzyme engineering, GMOs).
- *Retort and Aseptic Processing*.
*Assessment Methods*
- *Practical Exams*: Lab work on food preservation, microbial testing.
- *Case Studies*: Solving contamination outbreaks or process failures.
- *Projects*: Developing a new food product or sustainability plan.
- *Internship Report*: Industry experience documentation.