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Summary: Functional nutrition is deeply connected with healthy lifestyle and sustainable food production, due to its positive health benefits and the use of economically underexplored and natural raw materials. Expectedly, it appeals to large number of interested consumers while becoming lucrative segment of the food industry with a fast-growing market fueled by new sociodemographic trends. Accordingly, functional juices and beverages made of indigenous fruits are interesting niche for various food market stakeholders. Here, biologically active compounds (BACs) and probiotics that have positive health effects in functional foods (juices) are mostly thermolabile. This is especially important for industry that still employs classical heat treatments (e.g., pasteurization), while being concerned with degradation of food quality in the final products. To prevent this, focus is on designing economic and ecological technologies that are able to preserve nutritional and sensory quality while maintaining microbiological stability in products. Such approaches are based on low-energy consumption and low-impact processing, e.g. "hurdle technology" that combines advanced and conventional methods (e.g., high-power ultrasound, pulse electric field). Food design is another important focus point for consumers' sensory appeal and economic success of foods. Hence, technologies as 3D food printing can be particularly useful for manufacturing. Based on the above, presented topics are relevant to sustainable functional food production, functional fruit juices, BACs, "hurdle technology," advanced food processing, 3D food printing, and authentic fruits.

Summary: Tannins are a family of versatile, natural phenolic biomolecules whose key role is to protect plants against insects and fungi. They are also valuable in use for humans. We show tannins' antioxidant and antibacterial properties, in addition to their potential application in the food industry. We prove the accessibility of condensed tannins to a wide range of potential applications, including NH3 neutralizer, the building block of numerous porous materials, such as foams, organic, and carbon gels. Finally, they are known as wood adhesives, heavy metal scavengers, and corrosion inhibitors. With this book, we want to present the most promising perspectives of tannin.

Summary: Among the strategies for reducing the negative effects on the environment effected by the uncontrolled consumption and low potential for the recovery of conventional plastics, the synthesis of new biodegradable and recyclable plastics represents one of the most promising methods for minimizing the negative effects of conventional non-biodegradable plastics. The spectrum of existing biodegradable materials is still very narrow; thus, to achieve greater applicability, research is being carried out on biodegradable polymer mixtures, the synthesis of new polymers, and the incorporation of new stabilizers for thermal degradation, alongside the use of other additives such as antibacterials or new and more sustainable plasticizers. Some studies analyze direct applications, such as shape memory foams, new cartilage implants, drug release, etc.The reader can find several studies on the degradation of biodegradable polymers under composting conditions; however, novel bacteria that degrade polymers considered non-biodegradable in other, unusual conditions (such as conditions of high salinity) are also presented.

Summary: Among the strategies for reducing the negative effects on the environment effected by the uncontrolled consumption and low potential for the recovery of conventional plastics, the synthesis of new biodegradable and recyclable plastics represents one of the most promising methods for minimizing the negative effects of conventional non-biodegradable plastics. The spectrum of existing biodegradable materials is still very narrow; thus, to achieve greater applicability, research is being carried out on biodegradable polymer mixtures, the synthesis of new polymers, and the incorporation of new stabilizers for thermal degradation, alongside the use of other additives such as antibacterials or new and more sustainable plasticizers. Some studies analyze direct applications, such as shape memory foams, new cartilage implants, drug release, etc.The reader can find several studies on the degradation of biodegradable polymers under composting conditions; however, novel bacteria that degrade polymers considered non-biodegradable in other, unusual conditions (such as conditions of high salinity) are also presented.