Author:
de Carvalho Carla C.C.R.,Caramujo Maria José
Abstract
This paper reviews the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and methods developed for food processing and preservation
during the time of the ancient empires. In Antiquity, trees and herbs were harvested for culinary and medicinal
purposes, and from the everyday handling of products and keen observation, a great body of wisdom was derived by philosophers
and physicians. With modern day techniques, the suspected properties of compounds have been investigated
and the beneficial properties tested. From these studies it is apparent that olive oil, herbs, essential oils and metals, when
used with the backing of scientific knowledge can improve human health and the standards of living while respecting the
environment. Nowadays, proliferation of disinfectants and antimicrobial agents in domestic, industrial and medical environments
has contributed to the appearance of resistant microbial strains and of new pathogens. Since regulators have restricted
the use and concentrations of many preservatives, sanitizers, and antimicrobial agents, the food industry is facing
a problem to extend the shelf-life of products, and to keep the manufacturing environment clean. The application of natural
compounds and simple techniques developed by ancient Mediterranean civilizations may prove as useful as more
modern synthetic substances, thus avoiding potential threats to human health and the environment.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Biomedical Engineering,Biochemistry,Bioengineering,Biophysics,Biotechnology
Cited by
11 articles.
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