This book presents the theory behind extrusion technology, as used for food and feed products, in a way which can be readily applied in practice. It provides good fundamental understanding, but presented in the context of practical application, so that readers can understand how it applies in a real manufacturing situation.This book is relevant to all types of extruded human foods and animal feeds, and all types of equipment used to produce them: single- and twin-screw extruders, and specialised snack food machines. It considers how the equipment and processes operate, and how the process conditions interact with the ingredients used.Understanding the theory behind the process - and how it applies in practice - means that formulations and processes can be designed to be more robust, appropriate equipment can be selected for the required duty, and effective operating procedures and guidelines can be developed - leading to reliable processes and consistent product.The authors bring decades of industry and research experience to this book. Dennis Forte is a chemical engineer by training, who has spent his career in extrusion and related processes in areas of human food (breakfast cereals, snacks, pasta, confectionary, texturised vegetable protein), pet foods (dry, semi-moisture, wet texturised) and aquafeeds. He has worked in these areas with both multinational corporations and small manufacturers. Gordon Young entered the field of extrusion through research and teaching at the University of Queensland in Australia, gaining practical experience through industry project work and training.

Author Biography

Dennis Forte graduated in chemical engineering and spent ten years with the Mars Corporation in both process and product development roles within the areas of confectionery and pet food extrusion technologies. He moved on to work with The Uncle Toby's Company as the Process Engineering Manager, where he was actively involved in the quantification and optimisation of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal and snack manufacture. He is has been practicing as an independent engineering consultant to the food industry since 2000, providing technical support, design expertise and training to a broad range of manufacturers. Gordon Young has a degree in Agricultural Engineering, with a Master of Engineering Science, and a Graduate Diploma in Business, with over 25 years experience in engineering related to food processing. He held public research positions, before teaching in food technology and engineering at the University of Qld, where he also developed expertise in extrusion technology. In 2000 he moved into technical consulting to the food industry.