How Chemical Engineering Impacts Food Production?

Chemical Engineers and Food Production: An Integral Relationship

Chemical engineers and food production have an integral relationship. Graduates with BTech Chemical Engineering use their expertise to boost food production and help meet the food requirements of a growing population and limited land resources with unpredictable weather conditions.

We will explore different ways chemical engineers improve food production in the following section. We also suggest exploring Manipal University Jaipur for a top-class engineering education. You can also explore scholarships at Manipal University Jaipur and begin a successful career trajectory.

How Do Chemical Engineers Enhance Food Production and Make It Sustainable?

Top engineering colleges in India prepare industry-ready chemical engineers with skills to develop sustainable food production processes.

Sustainable Food Production Techniques

Chemical engineers design and develop sustainable and efficient manufacturing processes. It minimises waste. Examples of sustainable food production and agriculture methods are:

Crop residue management (CRM)
Polyculture
Organic and biodynamic farming
Integrated approach of crops and livestock
Intercropping for sustainable agriculture
Mulching and conservation tillage
Biofuels and zero-emissions transport

Improving Food Safety

Foodborne illnesses are a significant cause of worry in India and globally. BTech Chemical Engineering graduates design and develop advanced and safe sterilisation techniques, including high-temperature pasteurisation and canning. These processes preserve and safeguard food from foodborne ailments.

According to the US FDA, six prominent pathogens are responsible for most foodborne diseases:

Norovirus
Salmonella Typhi
Toxin-producing E. coli
Nontyphoidal Salmonella
Shigella
Hepatitis A

According to the CDC, major pathogens for foodborne illnesses are Norovirus, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus Aureus, and Clostridium Perfringens.

High-Temperature Pasteurisation

A food processing method involving heating liquid foods to a specific temperature for a short time and then rapidly cooling them before packaging.

Canning

A food preservation technique that includes storing food in cans or jars and heating them to a particular temperature. The high heat inactivates enzymes and eliminates microorganisms for food preservation.

Improving Crop Productivity

Chemical engineers plan and optimise agricultural practices using precision farming methods, advanced fertilisers, and smart irrigation systems.

Smart irrigation systems use sensors and controllers. This is especially beneficial for a country like India, where monsoon unpredictability and crop failure are common, and the population is over 1.4 billion. Chemical engineers work on building efficient irrigation systems to optimise food production.

Smart Irrigation System Components

Controllers: Measure soil moisture and climate patterns.
Sensors: Detect soil moisture, rain, and wind.

Developing New Food Products

Chemical engineers test and develop new food products, hybrid varieties, and advanced food preservation methods.

Enhancing Nutrient Fortification

Chemical engineers chemically synthesise fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides that encourage crop growth and protect crops from pests, insects, and weeds.

Genetic Modification

Chemical engineers have developed techniques that allow genetic materials to be quickly and precisely transferred from one organism to another.

Sustainable Food Packaging

BTech Chemical Engineering graduates ensure compliance with regulations and develop sustainable food packaging solutions.

Chemical Engineers: Sustainable Food Production Techniques and Systems

Chemical engineers develop sustainable methods and machines. It includes;

Organic farming practices using natural fertilisers and pesticides. Apply crop rotation, crop diversity, and weed management to improve soil fertility, crop production and more.
Sustainable agriculture practices with minimum use of fertilisers and pesticides. Sustainable fish and meat production.
Chemical engineers design tools and methods for seasonal variation, minimising waste, agroforestry, precision farming, and soil conservation. It helps to improve food production and crop quality and meet ever-rising demand.
Technologies and systems for efficient energy use and minimising water wastage
Enhanced use of renewable energy sources and reducing waste through composting and recycling
Chemical engineers ideate and design sustainable packaging materials and encourage local sourcing and organic producers.
Efficient, sustainable agriculture practices using natural resources, minimising the adverse external impact on agriculture, and technologies with the capacity to adapt to climate change and variability.
Chemical engineers design and develop systems and methods to ensure adequate and nutritious food for all people on the earth.

BTech Chemical Engineering at Manipal University Jaipur

BTech Chemical Engineering is crafted to provide theoretical and experimental knowledge. The progressive curriculum at Manipal University, Jaipur, includes;

Labs with sophisticated equipment for chemical engineering students
Computer labs with ASPEN, ANSYS (CFD) and other latest software
Guest lectures by industry professionals and academicians on relevant and latest topics of chemical engineering. Students learn applications of chemical engineering in diverse fields and domains.
Through the IAESTE program, students get opportunities to visit the USA, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Spain, Denmark and other countries.

How to Get Admission to Manipal University Jaipur?

MET Rank Holders

Students applying for BTech Chemical Engineering must have passed 10+2 or A Level or IB or American 12th Grade or Equivalent examination with Physics, Mathematics and English as Compulsory subjects, along with any one of Chemistry or Biotechnology or Computer Science or Statistics or Engineering Drawing or Biology with a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Mathematics and the optional subject combined.

Direct Admission to the BTech Chemical Engineering at MUJ

The following category of students are eligible for direct admission to the BTech program.

All remaining MET rank holders
All students who have a JEE rank and have qualified for JEE Advanced in the respective year
All other students with Physics, Mathematics and English as compulsory subjects and who have 50% or equivalent (in PMX subjects) in their 12th Std. (where X could be Chemistry/Computers, Science/Biology/Statistics/Engineering Drawing/Biotechnology)

BTech Chemical Engineering (Lateral Entry)

Students admitted directly in the second year and who have passed a 3-year Diploma in a relevant field of Engineering (PCM) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks can apply for Lateral Entry to the BTech Chemical Engineering programme.