Some Industrial Applications

Chapter 8. Jojoba oil, a natural oil extracted from the seeds of the shrub *Simmonasia chinensis*, which grows extensively in northern Mexico and the southwestern USA, finds multiple applications across industries ranging from cosmetics to fuels. The author discusses in detail the physico-chemical properties of its derivatives and the possibility of replacing up to 20% of diesel fuel in automobiles.

Chapter 9. The choice of packaging materials for food items requires special attention due to obvious concerns about contamination, especially from micro-plastics, that have been recently detected in human blood samples. Packaging materials derived from edible matter are preferred and help to circumvent several regulatory issues. The authors demonstrate that composites of polysaccharides, chitosan and other biopolymers show

unique properties with regard to their tensile strength, Young's modulus and percentage elongation at breaking point, which determines their usage and reliability in maintaining the quality and shelf life of the packed food.
