Principles of Food Science 6e, Online Textbook
Principles of Food Science instructs students on the integral role that science has in producing, processing, preparing, and preserving safe food for a growing population. The important ways that chemistry, microbiology, and physics apply to food components, digestion, metabolism, and complex food systems are reviewed using real-world examples. Students learn evidence-based principles that can be applied to a future food science career and to creative, nourishing cooking techniques. The requirements and opportunities for obtaining a food science-related career are explored, as well as the economic impact of this career path. Hands-on lab activities to build skills and knowledge are included in every chapter.
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Table of Contents
Abbreviated Contents
Principles of Food Science 6e, Online Textbook
- Principles of Food Science
- Copyright © 2026 by The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.
- About the Authors
- Reviewers
- Credentialing Partners and Support
- Tools for Student and Instructor Success
- Guided Tour
- Building a Connection with Agriculture and STEM
- Features Enhance Chapter Content
- Activities Reinforce and Extend Learning
- Brief Contents
- Contents
- Feature Contents
- Introduction
- Unit 1 The Science of Food
- Chapter 1 Food Science: An Old but New Subject
- Chapter 2 Scientific Evaluation: Being Objective
- Chapter 3 Sensory Evaluation: The Human Factor
- Unit 2 Basic Chemistry
- Chapter 4 Basic Food Chemistry: The Nature of Matter
- Chapter 5 Energy: Matter in Motion
- Chapter 6 Ions: Charged Particles in Solution
- Chapter 7 Water: The Universal Solvent
- Unit 3 Organic Chemistry: The Macronutrients
- Chapter 8 Sugar: The Simplest of Carbohydrates
- Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 8 Reading Prep
- Chapter 8 Key Terms
- Carbohydrate Production
- Sugars
- Hydrolysis
- Nutrition News
- Sources of Sugar
- STEM Matters
- Functions of Sugars in Food Preparation
- The Nutritional Value of Sugar
- STEM Matters
- Chapter 8 Review and Assess
- Chapter 8 Experiment Interfering with Crystal Formation
- Chapter 9 The Complex Carbohydrates: Starches, Cellulose, Gums, and Pectins
- Chapter 9 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 9 Reading Prep
- Chapter 9 Key Terms
- The Types of Complex Carbohydrates
- Functions of Complex Carbohydrates in Food Preparation
- Physical Properties of Starch and Liquid Mixtures
- Thickening Sauces with Starch
- Nutritional Impact of Complex Carbohydrates
- Food Fact
- Food Features
- Nutrition News
- Chapter 9 Review and Assess
- Chapter 9 Experiment Characteristics of Starch
- Chapter 10 Lipids: Nature’s Flavor Enhancers
- Chapter 11 Proteins: Amino Acids and Peptides
- Chapter 11 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 11 Reading Prep
- Chapter 11 Key Terms
- The Structure of Protein
- Denaturation of Proteins
- Functions of Protein in Food
- Cooking High-Protein Foods
- The Nutritional Contributions of Proteins
- Chapter 11 Review and Assess
- Chapter 11 Experiment Working with Egg White Foams
- Chapter 12 Enzymes: The Protein Catalyst
- Unit 4 Food Chemistry: The Microcomponents
- Chapter 13 The Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals
- Chapter 13 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 13 Reading Prep
- Chapter 13 Key Terms
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Effects of Processing and Preservation
- Food Fact
- Vitamins and Minerals as Food Additives
- STEM Matters
- Food Fact
- Preserving Vitamins and Minerals at Home
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
- Farm Futures
- Chapter 13 Review and Assess
- Chapter 13 Experiment Effects of Calcium on Coagulation
- Chapter 14 Phytochemicals: The Other Food Components
- Chapter 14 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 14 Reading Prep
- Chapter 14 Key Terms
- Phytochemicals and Their Categories
- Food Fact
- STEM Matters
- Phytochemicals and Food Processing
- Potential Health Benefits of Phytochemicals
- Phytochemicals and Epigenetics
- Farm Futures
- Chapter 14 Review and Assess
- Chapter 14 Experiment Effect of pH Changes on Flavonoids
- Chapter 15 Food Analogs: Substitute Ingredients
- Chapter 16 Additives: Producing Desired Characteristics in Foods
- Chapter 16 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 16 Reading Prep
- Chapter 16 Key Terms
- What Is a Food Additive?
- Regulating Additive Use
- Functions of Additives
- Secondary Direct Additives
- Going Green
- Balancing Benefits and Risks
- Food Features
- Chapter 16 Review and Assess
- Chapter 16 Experiment Pectin as a Texturizer
- Unit 5 Food Microbiology: Living Organisms in Food
- Chapter 17 Fermentation: Desirable Effects of Microbes
- Chapter 18 Food Safety: Sources of Contamination
- Chapter 18 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 18 Reading Prep
- Chapter 18 Key Terms
- Types of Food Contamination
- Causes of Foodborne Illness
- How Pathogens Enter the Food Supply
- Food Industry Sanitation Procedures
- STEM Matters
- Food Fact
- Chapter 18 Review and Assess
- Chapter 18 Experiment Growing Bacterial Cultures
- Chapter 19 Biotechnology: GMOs, Nanotechnology, and Cell Cultures
- Unit 6 Food Preservation and Packaging
- Chapter 20 Thermal Preservation: Hot and Cold Processing
- Chapter 21 Dehydration and Concentration: Controlling Water Activity
- Chapter 22 Food Packaging and Labeling
- Unit 7 Working with Complex Food Systems
- Chapter 23 Mixtures: Solutions, Colloidal Dispersions, and Suspensions
- Chapter 24 Separation Techniques: Mechanical and Chemical Methods
- Chapter 25 Research: Developing New Food Products
- Chapter 25 Learning Outcomes
- Chapter 25 Reading Prep
- Chapter 25 Key Terms
- Research in the Food Industry
- STEM Matters
- Developing Food Science Experiments
- Developing a New Food Product
- Evaluating Research, Media Reports, and Internet Information
- Nutrition News
- Chapter 25 Review and Assess
- Chapter 25 Experiment Developing a Food Science Experiment
- Chapter 26 Food Science-Related Careers: A World of Opportunities
- Appendix Measurement Conversion Charts
- Glossary
- Index