In the review, the mass fluxes occurring during the operation are identifie
d and the potential of osmotic treatment (OT) as an alternative to conventi
onal processes is evaluated. Product quality development during processing
and storage is assessed. Pilot and industrial applications are investigated
. In terms of prospects, some future research areas that have not yet been
investigated are presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser
ved.