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Trends and Perspectives in the Approach to Sustainable Food Design and Production

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Food".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 3621

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Food Technology and Human Nutrition, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszow, 4 Zelwerowicza St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: physicochemical and rheological properties of malto-oligosaccharides based on chemically modified starches; physicochemical and rheological properties of starch of various botanical origins; analysis of rheological properties of flour and dough based on flour systems with plant additives with health-promoting properties; the content of bioactive ingredients and antioxidant properties of nuts; functional food; development of functional bread with health-promoting features
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department Food Technology and Human Nutrition, Institute of Food Technology, College of Natural Science, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4 St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: assessment of the suitability of cereal in bakery and novel food production; baking value of wheat, rye, and triticale flour; quality of wheat and rye dough; gluten-free food; functional food; food industry by-products; development of new food products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The modern world faces many environmental, climatic, geopolitical, and social challenges. An essential element of a properly functioning economy is a balanced approach from both producers, suppliers, managers, and consumers. The leading pillar of the economy is agri-food production. In the case of food design, production, and use, a sustainable approach is important, which guarantees the production of products without significant damage to the natural environment, with respect for natural resources, with the production of a small amount of waste/by-products. In this approach, it is extremely important to skillfully manage the by-products of the agri-food industry for food production, especially food with health-promoting properties. The food design process should take into account the application possibilities of raw materials that are by-products from another industry. This makes it possible to create a sustainable food production chain without generating significant costs and reduce the amount of problematic waste.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality original research articles and review papers reflecting advances in research on sustainable food design and production. Research themes may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Agricultural and food production and the scale of post-production waste;
  • Classification and quantity of by-products in various industries and agriculture;
  • Prospects for optimizing the use of raw materials and media in sustainable food production;
  • Storage and transport management as elements of sustainable raw material and food distribution;
  • Quality and safety of by-products;
  • Prospects for sustainable organic food production;
  • Possibilities of using by-products of agricultural and food production in various branches of the food industry;
  • Water management in agricultural and industrial food production;
  • Optimization of media management in sustainable food production;
  • Modern methods of processing by-products from agriculture and food production;
  • Obtaining nutrients and bioactive ingredients from by-products;
  • Financial, environmental, and social benefits of implementing a sustainable food production policy.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Dr. Karolina Pycia
Dr. Joanna Kaszuba
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • food production
  • sustainable production
  • by-product management
  • bioactive substances
  • biodegradable packaging
  • natural methods of food preservation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1372 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Protein Fortification: Impact of Hemp and Cricket Powder on Extruded Snack Quality
by Millena Ruszkowska, Maciej Świtalski, Małgorzata Tańska, Iga Rybicka, Joanna Miedzianka, Hanna Maria Baranowska and Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3097; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073097 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 345
Abstract
This research paper evaluates the functional and nutritional properties of extruded corn snacks fortified with plant-based hemp protein (HP) and insect-derived cricket powder (CP). With a focus on sustainable protein sources due to growing environmental concerns and the need for alternative protein sources, [...] Read more.
This research paper evaluates the functional and nutritional properties of extruded corn snacks fortified with plant-based hemp protein (HP) and insect-derived cricket powder (CP). With a focus on sustainable protein sources due to growing environmental concerns and the need for alternative protein sources, this study aims to enhance the nutritional profile of corn snacks. The incorporation of unconventional proteins into snacks is explored to meet consumer demands for sustainable and nutritious options. Results show that HP-enriched snacks have higher mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium, lower sodium content, and improved water interaction profiles. On the other hand, CP-fortified snacks exhibit higher protein content, essential amino acids, and moisture retention capabilities. Texture analysis reveals differences in hardness, cohesiveness, and springiness between HP and CP-enriched products. Moreover, color analysis indicates that HP and CP additives influence the color and appearance of the snacks, with CP enrichments leading to darker snacks. Sorption isotherm studies demonstrate varying hygroscopicity levels between HP- and CP-enriched samples, impacting their storage stability. Surface structure assessments show differences in the specific sorption surface area, suggesting unique properties attributed to each protein source. In conclusion, both hemp protein and cricket powder offer various advantages for snack fortification, providing opportunities to enhance nutritional profiles while addressing sustainability concerns. Full article
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18 pages, 282 KiB  
Article
Local Food Production Based on Culinary Heritage—A Way to Local Sustainability
by Luiza Ossowska, Dorota Janiszewska, Grzegorz Kwiatkowski and Ove Oklevik
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11310; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411310 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 2656
Abstract
This research assess the role of traditional food producers’ activities in fostering local sustainability in Poland. The study was carried out at the turn of 2021 and 2022, involving a sample of 70 traditional food producers. It utilized semi-structured interviews, which included two [...] Read more.
This research assess the role of traditional food producers’ activities in fostering local sustainability in Poland. The study was carried out at the turn of 2021 and 2022, involving a sample of 70 traditional food producers. It utilized semi-structured interviews, which included two categories of questions: the characteristics of traditional food producers and the significance of their operational goals. Given the unique nature of traditional food in Poland, producers can be categorized into three groups, based on their connection to tradition: local, regional, and national. Differences among these groups were analyzed using a series of t-tests. The findings indicate that in the hierarchy of goals for traditional food producers, socio-cultural objectives take precedence, followed by business goals, while goals related to food safety, quality, and environmental responsibility rank as the least important, with significant differences noted. Producers associated with local traditions, predominantly consisting of family businesses, show the least interest in achieving food safety, quality, and environmental responsibility objectives. While traditional food producers in Poland are adopting pro-ecological practices, these are primarily driven by business considerations and market demands. Full article
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