Aligarh: Dr. Faizan Ahmad, Assistant Professor, Department of Post Harvest Engineering & Technology at Aligarh Muslim University, secured first prize in the idea competition under the faculty category for his innovative idea of vacuum drying technology during the 14th IDEA Convention and National Seminar on “Engineering Challenges and Strategies for Sustainable Growth in Dairy and Food Processing”. The event was organised by Verghese Kurien Institute of Dairy and Food Technology, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, under the aegis of the Indian Dairy Engineers Association.
Dr. Faizan Ahmad also presented a paper titled “Development of biodegradable food packaging films using lemon peel pectin and chitosan incorporated with neem leaf extract and its application on apricot fruit”. He stressed the value of biodegradable films versus plastic packaging, and discussed the impact of adding neem leaf extract and lemon peel pectin to the films and how they work with apricot fruit.
Prof. Z.R. Azaz Ahmad Azad, Chairman of the Department of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology, congratulated Dr. Faizan for winning the first prize in the idea competition.
