Basics of extrusion processing

Abstract Extrusion is a very widely used processing technology in the food industry. The range of flexibility in the extrusion systems available today for cereal processing is tremendous. This chapter provides a broad overview of extrusion processing. A description of different types of extruders and their parts is provided. A brief overview of the history of extrusion is also provided. Part of the chapter focuses on the applications of extrusion processing in the food industry. There have been very significant developments in the food industry on the types of extruders and their ability to make a wide range of products. An effort is made in this chapter to provide basic information on food and cereal grain extrusion. This chapter serves as an overview chapter for the book.