SAT Text Structure and Purpose Question

Microwave heating, a thermal technology used to preserve food on an industrial scale, is generally considered to be an improvement over more conventional thermal preservation methods. Scientists in Latin America have contributed to a better understanding of this technology, with researchers from Brazil demonstrating its effectiveness in preserving mango peels. As research continues, scientists hope to make advancements in hybrid systems combining multiple food preservation technologies, which would be advantageous over using microwave heating alone, given that it often heats food unevenly. Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?