Dry Method Research Articles

Beyond yield: Unveiling farmer perceptions and needs regarding weed management in Bangladesh.

More than 3.5 billion people depend on rice for more than 20% of their daily calories. Globally, Bangladesh is the third largest rice producer. With 171 million people, Bangladesh is also among the top consumers. Local rice production not only affects the country's food security but also influences the global rice trade. A large yield gap has been reported due to weeds. Traditional hand weeding is very costly because of labor shortages resulting from industrialization. Limited data showed a higher yield and profits when using herbicides. However, quantitative data on various aspects of weed management and associated issues representing the country's variable rice ecosystem, which is characterized by 30 agroecological zones, are lacking. We collected data on weed management practices from 865 farmers and 69 agrochemical shops covering all 30 agro-ecological zones (AEZs) through a structured survey. We observed a significant regional variation among various parameters. Approximately 82% of farmers use herbicides, and few rely solely on either manual weeding or herbicides. Pre-emergence herbicides are the predominant. Application procedures are almost the same across the country. Although 40% of farmers had secondary and higher-level education, most depend upon local sellers' suggestions rather than reading the product label regarding the dose. Few farmers consider herbicides hazardous, and respondents rarely perceive any environmental impact. Pyrazosulfuron ethyl (35%) and acetochlor-containing bensulfuron methyl (27%) are the most-used chemical species. Approximately 45% of farmers observed that herbicides suppress early seedling growth. Additional fertilizer is required to compensate for this. Multiple weed species that are difficult to control through presently used herbicides were noted in all AEZs. Around 64% of farmers observed that herbicide application contributes to higher yields as a function of timely weeding. Cost comparisons showed that high labor prices will make rice cropping unprofitable in most parts of the country if herbicides are eliminated. Clear adverse effects of pre-emergence herbicides on early crop growth implied the potential benefits of broad-spectrum herbicide-tolerant genetically engineered (GE) rice to sustain the country's food security. Additionally, such GE rice could incentivize the adoption of alternate wet and dry irrigation methods, leading to water and cost savings.

Applications of dry chain technology to maintain high seed viability in tropical climates.

Seed storage life in tropical areas is shortened by high humidity and temperature and the general inaccessibility to dehumidifying and refrigeration systems, resulting in rapid decreases in seed viability in storage as well as a high incidence of fungal and insect infestations. The dry chain, based on rapid and deep drying of seeds after harvest followed by packaging in moisture-proof containers, has been proposed as an effective method to maintain seed quality during medium-term storage in humid climates, even without refrigeration. In addition, seed drying with zeolite drying beads can be more effective and economical than sun or heated-air drying under these warm, humid conditions. In this paper, we review recent published literature regarding the dry chain, considering different crop species, storage environments and seed traits. In addition, we provide new original data on the application of dry chain methods and their implementation at larger scales in South Asia, Latin America and Pacific Island Countries. The clear conclusion is that the combination of reusable drying beads and waterproof storage containers enables the implementation of the dry chain in tropical climates, enhancing seed viability and quality in storage of many crop species. The dry chain approach can therefore significantly enhance seed security for farmers in many tropical countries. Finally, we propose actions and strategies that could guide further scaling-up implementation of this technology.

Fabrication and Properties of Adsorptive Ceramic Membrane Made from Kaolin with Addition of Dolomite for Removal of Metal Ions in a Multielement Aqueous System.

The exorbitant presence of heavy metals has emerged as one of the most serious ecological issues facing the world. The treatment processes currently employed are not effective for removing all of the contaminants completely. Therefore, it is necessary for better operational technology to be developed. Here, we fabricated effective and inexpensive kaolin-based ceramic membranes with the addition of dolomite using a simple dry compaction method. Moreover, we applied the obtained adsorptive membranes to the removal of lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium from aqueous solutions. The membranes prepared with dolomite addition (sintered at different temperatures) exhibited a high water flux between 246.78 and 1738.56 L/h·m2 at an extremely low operating pressure (0.03 MPa). Furthermore, the optimal membrane showed high removal efficiencies of 99.12, 99.82, 85.62, and 65.94% for Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II), respectively. The utilization of dolomite enhanced the removal efficiency of the adsorptive membranes by around 32-54% in a multielement system. This work reveals that enhanced adsorptive membranes with high fluxes and strong removal abilities have great potential as a synergized system with practical applications in the removal of heavy-metal contaminants from wastewater in the future.

Unravelling the effects of drying techniques on Porphyra yezoensis: Morphology, rehydration properties, metabolomic profile, and taste formation

This study explored the impact of sun drying (SD), freeze drying (FD), oven drying (OD), and microwave drying (MD) on the morphology, rehydration properties, metabolomic profile, and taste formation of Porphyra yezoensis. FD elicited a brighter colour, smooth surface, porous microstructure, and strong rehydration properties in P. yezoensis, while dramatically maintaining the umami, sweetness, and saltiness. OD and MD decreased structural openness owing to tissue collapse and affected water absorption. Metabolomic analysis revealed 1030 metabolites, among which taste-related compounds, especially free amino acids, nucleotides, organic acids, and their derivatives, were the main biomarkers for distinguishing the different drying methods. Their related metabolic pathways, such as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism; purine metabolism; glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; and citrate cycle, were the most active. A metabolic pathway network of the main taste compounds was built to provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the taste profile changes associated with different drying methods.

Evaluation of the effect of ultrasound-assisted hot air drying on the drying characteristics and physicochemical properties of cherries based on the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method.

To address the challenges associated with prolonged traditional hot air drying (HAD) times and significant nutrient loss in cherries, this study employs ultrasound-assisted hot air drying (USA-HAD) technology. The study investigates the impacts of various ultrasound (US) frequencies, US powers, and hot air temperatures on the drying kinetics, physicochemical properties, texture attributes, and microstructure of cherries during drying. Cherry physicochemical quality serves as the evaluation criterion, with the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method used to identify the optimal drying parameters. The findings indicate that USA-HAD accelerates the drying process, reduces drying time, and enhances drying efficiency. In comparison to natural drying, USA-HAD significantly preserves polysaccharides, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and organic acids in cherries, while boosting antioxidant activity. Concurrently, it reduces color intensity, as well as the hardness, chewiness, and gumminess of dried cherry products. Microstructural observations under different drying methods reveal an increase in surface micropores and relatively intact tissue structure. Under conditions of 55°C, 48W, and 28kHz, cherries exhibit superior overall quality based on the TOPSIS relative closeness degree. This study offers practical insights for optimizing post-harvest processing of cherries. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this rapidly evolving era, the application of combination drying technology is clearly on the rise. The USA-HAD treated cherries had better nutritional and bioactive than HAD. The conclusions obtained indicate that the USA-HAD technology has more potential for development.

Artificial intelligence as a tool for predicting the quality attributes of garlic (Allium sativum L.) slices during continuous infrared-assisted hot air drying.

Effective drying methods are a highly suitable solution for ensuring stable food supply chains, reducing postharvest agricultural losses, and preventing the spoilage of perishable fruits and vegetables. Moreover, machine learning techniques are innovative and dependable, especially in addressing food spoilage and optimizing drying processes. This study utilized a continuous infrared (IR) hot air dryer to dry garlic (Allium sativum L.) slices. The experiments were conducted at different levels of IR power, air velocities (V), and temperature (T). The relationships between the input process parameters (IR, T, and V) and response parameters, including effective moisture diffusivity (Deff), drying time, and physicochemical properties of the dried slices (rehydration ratio [RR], total color change, flavor strength, and allicin content in the garlic), were modeled using an artificial neural network (ANN). Our findings showed that the maximum Deff of 6.8×10-10m2/s and minimum drying time of 225min were achieved with an IR of 3000W/m2, an air velocity of 0.7m/s, and a temperature of 60°C. The total color change and RR values increased with IR and higher air temperature but declined with higher air velocity. Furthermore, the garlic's flavor strength and allicin content levels decreased as the IR and air temperature increased. The results demonstrated a significant influence of the independent parameters on the response parameters (p<0.01). Interestingly, the ANN predictions closely matched the test data sets, providing valuable insights for understanding and controlling the factors affecting drying behaviors.

Cycle time reduction using intermittent DC internal heating in vapour phase drying of cellulose-based insulation used in transformers

ABSTRACT For the commissioning of a new transformer, a delay in delivery caused owing to the long-drying process at the manufacturer is not acceptable in order to avoid erratic power supplies and extensive down times. To increase productivity, ensure on-time delivery, avoid unplanned power outages, reduce the cost, increase the efficiency of energy utilisation and maintain the quality parameters of the transformer insulation thereby increasing its service life, cycle time of insulation drying at the manufacturer needs to be reduced. As of today, the latest technology for insulation drying of transformers at the manufacturer’s factory is the vapour phase drying (VPD) method. The cycle time in VPD may span for 4–5 days for a power transformer. This establishes the need to reduce the cycle time in VPD of transformer insulation. In this work, experimentation was carried out on 11 kV transformers for developing a system to reduce the cycle time in VPD.

Indoor Test and Evaluation of Asphalt Pavement Compaction Measurements Using Ground-Penetrating Radar-Based Density Profiling System

A density profiling system (DPS) based on ground-penetrating radar was tested simulating the in-place DPS measurement in an indoor setting. The test investigated two types of asphalt mixture commonly used in Japan. Eight 15 cm (6 in.) diameter gyratory pucks were made for mix calibrations, and ten 50 × 50 × 5 cm (20 × 20 × 2 in.) wheel tracking slab specimens were fabricated for simulating the DPS measurement at the job site. Observation of the data showed that puck heterogeneity might cause calibration errors when compaction is too low. Furthermore, the test illustrated that the surface texture influences the measurement, and a correction may need to be applied when it is significant. With careful treatment of data and the surface texture correction, the DPS achieved a mean error of approximately 0.1% or less in air void content with respect to that based on bulk specific gravity obtained from cores using the saturated surface dry method.

Comprehensive Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory, Antiproliferative and Neuroprotective Properties of Cauliflower after Dehydration by Different Drying Methods.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae L. var. Botrytis Linnaeus) has various health benefits due to its rich bioactive compound content. However, this fresh vegetable faces challenges related to its perishability and short shelf life. This study explores the effect of five drying methods, namely vacuum drying (VD), convective drying (CD), infrared drying (IRD), low-temperature vacuum drying (LTVD) and vacuum freeze-drying (VFD), on the bioactive compounds and health-promoting properties of cauliflower. Analyses of amino acids, hydroxycinnamic acid and its derivatives, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates, as well as evaluations of their anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and neuroprotective properties, were conducted based on these five drying methods. The results revealed that samples treated with VFD and IRD had a higher content of amino acids involved in GSL anabolism. Moreover, VFD samples retained hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and glucosinolates to a greater extent than other methods. Nonetheless, the CD and VD samples exhibited higher antiproliferative and neuroprotective effects, which were correlated with their high sulforaphane content. Overall, considering the retention of most bioactive compounds from cauliflower and the topical inflammation amelioration induced in mice, VFD emerges as a more satisfactory option.

A realistic approach for evaluating antimicrobial surfaces for dry surface exposure scenarios.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has raised public awareness about the importance of hygiene, leading to an increased demand for antimicrobial surfaces to minimize microbial contamination on high-touch surfaces. This is particularly relevant in public and private transportation settings, where surfaces frequently touched by individuals pose a significant, yet preventable, risk of infection transmission. Typically, the antimicrobial activity of surfaces is tested using test methods of the International Standards Organization, American Society for Testing and Materials, or Japanese Industrial Standards, which involve complete submersion in liquid, elevated temperature (37°C), and prolonged (24 h) contact periods. However, these conditions do not accurately represent real-world scenarios where surfaces are exposed to air. In this study, we propose a modified test method designed to better reflect real-life conditions in the intended end-use setting. The modifications included using deionized water instead of nutrient broth while preparing bacterial inoculum, applying a small test inoculum to the surface and allowing it to dry, maintaining ambient temperature and relative humidity throughout the contact period, and reducing the contact period to 4 h. With this modified approach, the antimicrobial activity of 20 samples was reassessed. This screening revealed that out of 20 samples, only 2 samples were effective against all species, while 8 samples demonstrated partial effectiveness against selected species, and 10 samples showed no significant effect. These findings highlight the inadequacy of the current test standard and emphasize the urgent necessity for revised and adapted testing method to ensure a reliable and accurate evaluation.IMPORTANCEThe recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has sparked increased demand for antimicrobial surfaces to mitigate the risk of fomites-transmitted infection in both indoors and confined spaces. Commonly, the antimicrobial activity of these surfaces is assessed using test standards established by national standards bodies, which do not distinguish between different application scenarios. While these test standards are suitable for surfaces intended for submerged application, they are inappropriate for antimicrobial surfaces designed for dry surface exposure. The usage of these standards can lead to an overestimation of antimicrobial efficacy. Thus, this study introduces a modified dry exposure test method aimed at better reflecting real-life conditions in the intended end-use setting. Our results revealed the subpar antimicrobial performance of numerous samples, highlighting the necessity to revise and tailor the universal test standard to real-world scenarios in order to ensure a reliable and accurate evaluation.

Comprehensive analysis of cutting temperature, tool wear, surface integrity and tribological properties in sustainable milling of Ti6Al4V alloy: LN2, nanofluid and hybrid machining

Despite being expensive and difficult to process, the Ti6Al4V alloy is a vital component for crucial industries. To improve its machinability and accomplish sustainable production, environmentally friendly cooling and lubricating agencies are used. Studies on the machinability of the alloy are still necessary because of its unique features and significance in vital industries like aerospace, defense, and medicine. Therefore, this investigation focuses on tool wear, temperature, and surface integrity for sustainable milling Ti6Al4V under various machining environments, i.e., dry, pure-MQL, LN2, hBN, CuO-doped nanofluids, and hybrid methods. The produced nanofluids' thermophysical and rheological characteristics were examined in the study's initial phase. Because of the results from the first stage, machining performance indicators were assessed in the subsequent milling experiments. As a result, CuO-doped nanofluids gave improved results in terms of viscosity and pH. The best results obtained in the LN2 + CuO hybrid cooling lubrication environment in important machinability outcomes such as tool wear and surface integrity were attributed to the rheological properties of CuO-doped nanofluid and its harmonious cooperation with LN2-cryogenic cooling.

Effect of Different Drying Methods on Colour, Total Phenolic Content, Flavonoid Content, and Antioxidant Activity Retention of Strobilanthes crispus Leaves

Strobilanthes crispus, a medicinal herb, is recognised for its abundant phytochemicals, notably in its leaves, contributing to its high antioxidant activity. However, the crucial step of drying, aimed at extending shelf life, can impact the stability of these bioactive compounds. This study evaluates the impact of different drying methods, which include oven, microwave, freeze drying, and air drying, on the colour, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities of S. crispus leaves. The colour analysis of the fresh and dried leaves was assessed using the chromameter. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu’s and aluminium chloride colourimetric assays, respectively. Antioxidant capacities were analysed via ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The results showed that microwave-dried S. crispus leaves exhibited minimal alterations in colour attributes L*, a*, and b*, closely resembling the fresh leaves (p &gt; 0.05). Microwave drying significantly preserved TPC (145.42 ± 1.61 mg GAE/g), TFC (117.27 ± 5.10 mg QE/g), FRAP activity (258.92 ± 0.15 µg TE/g extract), and displayed the most potent DPPH scavenging half-maximal inhibitory concentration (7.58 ± 0.48 µg/ml) compared to other methods (p &lt; 0.05). Notably, the DPPH scavenging potency surpassed that of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene. In conclusion, microwave drying appeared to be an efficient method for preserving the colour and antioxidant properties of S. crispus leaves. It highlights its potential as a favourable drying technique for conserving bioactive compounds in medicinal plant materials, offering promising applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.

Effects of Postmanufacture Conditioning on the Mechanical and Hygroscopic Properties of Extrusion Printed Wood–Sodium Silicate Composites

Abstract Additive manufacturing of wood–sodium silicate composites could aid in mitigating the carbon footprint of the building and construction industry. However, the effect of postmanufacture conditioning on the mechanical and physical properties of additively manufactured wood–sodium silicate composites is not well understood. This study investigated eight different postmanufacture drying processes, including: ambient indoor and outdoor conditions, oven-drying at two different temperatures, microwave drying, alcohol-induced dehydration using ethanol and denatured alcohol, and desiccant drying. Each postmanufacture conditioning treatment was assessed in terms of total moisture extraction and moisture extraction rate as well as the flexural strength, flexural stiffness, and hardness of the wood–sodium silicate samples after drying. In addition, the water absorption and volumetric swelling properties of the additively manufactured wood–sodium silicate samples were assessed via water submersion tests. The postmanufacture conditioning treatments were found to significantly affect the mechanical and physical properties of the samples. A universal ranking system was established based on cumulative rankings of each evaluated characteristic. Samples dried in ambient outdoor conditions achieved the best overall ranking and had the smallest carbon footprint. However, ovendried samples had the best flexural properties. Future studies investigating hybrid approaches in which composites are sequentially subjected to different drying methods will likely provide the most desirable mechanical and physical properties of wood–sodium silicate composites.

A-125 Difference Between the Results of Vitros® Dry Biochemistry and Wet Biochemistry with Kinetic Method in Diagnosing the Comorbidity of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Aacroamylasemia: Case Report

Abstract Background Amylase (AMY) is a biomarker that comes mainly from the pancreas and salivary glands. Macroamylasemia is a condition often accompanied by malignant tumors and clinical features that include: (i) recurrent abdominal pain, no abnormality in the salivary glands, serum amylase (AMY) level ≥2 to 3 times higher than the normal value and poor patient response to treatments for pancreatitis; (ii) normal serum creatinine and urea levels, increased serum AMY level, and urine AMY level within the normal range or slightly lower. Because macroamylasemia may cause abnormally increased serum AMY levels for a long period of time, misdiagnosis of pancreatitis and delayed diagnosis/treatment of the disease may occur. We report a case of lung adenocarcinoma with macroamylasemia that was co-diagnosed using wet chemistry with kinetic method and dry chemistry to measure AMY. Methods A 47-year-old male patient was previously diagnosed with “acute pancreatitis and lung infection” after initial admission to a local hospital with paroxysmal cough and abdominal pain without obvious cause. To further diagnose the patient, we determined the blood AMY level by using the wet chemistry with kinetic method and the Vitros® dry chemistry test, in addition to conducting a physical exam, abdominal and chest computed tomography (CT), and other lab tests. Two methods, calculation of amylase/creatinine clearance ratio (Cam/Ccr ratio) and protein precipitation by polyethylene glycol (PEG), were also performed to validate assumed interference by serum macroamylase (MAMS) in the wet chemistry method compared to the dry chemistry method, which has technology to capture large molecules and minimize the impact of interferents. MAMS is a high-molecular-weight AMY complex that is synthesized by normal serum AMY bound with macromolecular substances (eg, immunoglobulins and carbohydrates). Results The final diagnosis was a stage IIB cT3N0M0 adenocarcinoma of the upper lobe of the right lung and macroamylasemia. Symptoms and radiologic findings were atypical in terms of pancreatitis. Serum AMY was 2,178U/L when measured with the wet chemistry with kinetic method. When the specimen was re-tested with Vitros dry chemistry, the AMY level was 369 U/L. After precipitation with 25% PEG 6000 solution, the blood AMY level from wet chemistry decreased from 2395.1 U/L to 246.7 U/L, yielding a precipitation rate of 89.7%. Cam/Ccr ratio was calculated as 0.23% (&amp;lt;1%). The calculated PEG precipitation rate and Cam/Ccr ratio from this study were consistent with the ranges considered for macroamylasemia, which are ≥73% and Cam/Ccr ratio &amp;lt;1%, respectively. Conclusions High serum AMY levels do not necessarily indicate pancreatitis or parotitis; wet chemistry results can be impacted by the presence of serum macroamylase. Instead of relying solely on blood AMY in diagnosing acute pancreatitis, clinicians should also consider the correlations of blood AMY with urine AMY and blood lipase. In patients with prolonged blood AMY elevation but normal lipase and urine AMY, re-testing of AMY with a more interference-resistant methodology (e.g. Vitros dry chemistry) may be requested. Accordingly, Cam/Ccr ratio calculation and PEG precipitation can be performed to validate the diagnosis of macroamylasemia.

Drying kinetics and mathematical modeling of coconut meat slices: Insight into pretreatment and drying synergic effect

Coconut consumption provides nutritional and health benefits to humans. Yet, poor postharvest and preservation methods result in the loss of coconut fruit bunches yearly. Investigations into achieving drying techniques that result in optimum drying rates coupled with consumer's desired end products that are both commercially and nutritionally viable remain paramount in the food industry. Consequently, osmotic dehydration is commendable for its low-cost pretreatment merit. Therefore, the study examined the drying-kinetics, energy consumption, effective moisture diffusivity (Deff), vitamin C retention, color, and rehydration behavior of coconut cultivars (Sri Lanka Green Dwarf × Vanuatu Tall (SGD × VTT), Catigan (CAT), and Tacunan Green Dwarf (TGD)) meat slices. Samples were osmotically pretreated with sucrose solution (30 %/30 min) and subjected to oven drying (80, 90, 100, and 110 °C (air velocity of 2 m/s) and lyophilization (−45 ± 2 °C) methods. A mathematical model was employed to predict the effect of osmotic pretreatment on drying dynamics and the assessment of utilized energy, vitamin C content, color, and rehydration of coconut meat slices at different drying conditions. The oven-dried sample's color changed (p < 0.05) compared to lyophilized samples. Drying-kinetics models were validated using determination coefficient (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The Asymptotic model satisfactorily suited the samples' drying data goodness fitting based on R2≥0.90−0.99 and low RMSE ≤0.01−0.12 compared to other models for both drying methods. Deff ranged between 1.10 × 10−07 m2s−1 and 7.90 × 10−08 m2s−1 for all the drying methods. CAT sample retained high vitamin C content compared to SGD × VTT and TGD samples. Rehydration ratio values were significant at lower temperatures among oven-dried experimental samples whereas TGD samples exhibited a significant rehydration values compared to SGD × VTT and CAT lyophilized samples. Among the drying methods, oven drying exhibited low energy consumption with shorter drying time and optimum Deff per adopted temperature ranges compared to lyophilization. The study revealed that temperature, time, the sucrose solution, and the thickness of the coconut slices strongly influenced the drying kinetics of the osmotically pre-treated coconut meat slice's drying features.

Comparison of different drying technologies for green tea: Changes in color, non-volatile and volatile compounds

Drying technology plays a pivotal role in tea processing. Herein, the differences in color, non-volatile, and volatile components of green tea under various drying methods were investigated. The results indicated that vacuum freeze-microwave increased the L* and b* values, and decreased the a* values of tea leaves. Moreover, vacuum freeze-microwave drying resulted in higher polyphenol content than the other three drying methods although there was no significant difference. A total of 43 volatile compounds were identified. Of these, 2-propanone, ethanol(D), ethanol(M), ethyl acetate(M), 2-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-methylthiophene were found to play an important role in the above discrimination (VIP >1.5). Dry extraction showed a higher content of volatile components than wet extraction. Regardless of the extraction conditions, vacuum freeze-microwave drying exhibited a stronger signal intensity and more volatile components than other drying methods. This study provides a reference for analyzing the quality differences of green tea by different drying methods.

Drying Strawberry Slices: A Comparative Study of Electrohydrodynamic, Hot Air, and Electrohydrodynamic‐Hot Air Techniques

ABSTRACTThe investigation encompassed an examination of the drying durations, modeling, and quality attributes (color, rehydration capacity, microstructural features, total soluble solid [TSS], and pH values) of strawberry slices subjected to diverse drying methodologies, namely electrohydrodynamic (EHD), EHD‐hot air, and hot air processes. Furthermore, 10 distinct thin‐layer drying models were applied, and their goodness‐of‐fit was assessed to identify the most suitable model for the drying process. This analysis encompassed applying two distinct temperatures (50°C and 55°C), and voltage levels (20 and 30 kV). The EHD method yielded the lengthiest drying durations for the strawberry samples, with hot air and EHD‐hot air drying techniques subsequent in descending order of drying time. The outcomes of the modeling analyses demonstrated that the thin‐layer drying behaviors of used drying methods were best described by the Midilli et al. and Wang and Singh models in terms of their goodness‐of‐fit. A decline in the L* values was noted with the elevation of temperature in the hot air drying method and with the escalation of voltage in the EHD drying. The minimum a* value was detected in the hot air drying method conducted at 55°C. The rehydration capacity of strawberry samples subjected to the EHD and EHD‐hot air combination drying methods (except 20 kV‐55°C) did not exhibit any statistically significant variation in response to different voltage settings. Although the structure of strawberry samples dried with 20 kV application was observed as smoother, cracks occurred on the product surface in other drying applications. In hot air and EHD methods, varying temperature and volt applications did not show a significant effect on TSS and pH values. As a result, it has been seen that EHD technology, which is a promising drying method used in this study, is a suitable method in terms of processing efficiency and consumer acceptability of dried strawberry products.

A comparative analysis on impact of drying methods on antioxidants, antidiabetes and antiobesity activities in green algae Caulerpa lentillifera: In vitro study

Marine algae, particularly Caulerpa lentillifera (C. lentillifera), have gained attention as potent sources of bioactive compounds with diverse health benefits. Despite its promising bioactivity, the influence of drying methods on its health-promoting properties remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of different drying methods on the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities of C. lentillifera. Fresh samples (GACL-FS) and those dried using air-fryer (GACL-AFD) and microwave (GACL-MD) methods were evaluated for carrageenan content, protein composition, and bioactive potentials. GACL-MD preserved the highest levels of protein, while fresh samples retained the highest carrageenan content. Antioxidant assays revealed superior performance in GACL-MD samples, showing significant DPPH and ABTS inhibition compared to Trolox standards. Similarly, antidiabetic assays demonstrated comparable α-glucosidase inhibition across all drying methods, suggesting robust retention of antidiabetic properties. Antiobesity activity, evaluated through lipase inhibition assays, highlighted GACL-MD's efficacy at lower concentrations, akin to Orlistat, while fresh and air-fryer dried samples showed varied results. In conclusion, C. lentillifera exhibits substantial potential as a functional food ingredient, with the drying method significantly influencing its bioactive profile. Microwave drying emerged as optimal for preserving antioxidant and antiobesity activities, emphasizing the need for tailored drying strategies to enhance nutritional benefits. Future research should focus on optimizing processing techniques and elucidating underlying mechanisms to fully harness C. lentillifera's health-promoting properties in functional food development and public health interventions.

Breast Milk Application as a Natural Method for Umbilical Cord Care: A Community-Label 3-Arm Pilot Clinical Trial

Abstract Objective To compare the effects of human breast milk with those of chlorhexidine and the dry method on umbilical cord separation in Ethiopia. Methods This open-label 3-arm nonrandomized pilot clinical trial was conducted among 45 neonates (15 in each arm) with more than 630 home visits. After a standard cord cut, human breast milk, chlorhexidine, or nothing was applied once per day for 7 days. The primary outcome was the duration of cord separation, while the secondary outcomes were umbilical cord infection, neonatal fever, jaundice, feeding and breathing difficulty, and persistent crying. Results There were statistically significant differences in the time-to-cord separation between the human breast milk group and the chlorhexidine (P &lt; 0.001) and dry alone (P = 0.038) groups. Compared to those of chlorhexidine, the rates of cord separation among human breast milk and the dry-alone group were 16.02, with 95% confidence intervals (3.81, 37.43; P &lt; 0.001) and 3.15 (0.99, 10.00; P = 0.052), respectively. One (6.7%) cord site infection was observed in the dry-alone groups only. Conclusion This community-label study indicated that human breast milk application significantly shortened the length of umbilical cord separation time compared to chlorhexidine and dry methods. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these results. Registration PACTR202310902873290; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za

Exploration of the impact of different drying methods on the quality of Gastrodia elata: A study based on drying kinetics and multidimensional quality evaluation

In this study, the drying kinetics and multidimensional quality of Gastrodia elata (GE) obtained through five different drying methods were analyzed. The Page model provided the best fit. Though widely used, hot-air drying (HA-D) showed mediocre performance. Due to strong heat penetration, microwave drying (MV-D) and infrared drying (IR-D) effectively reduced drying time and energy consumption. However, they experienced Maillard and caramelization reactions, resulting in notable cell structure shrinkage, severe browning, pronounced caramel taste, and poor retention of active ingredients. Conversely, freeze-drying (F-D) and vacuum drying (V-D), due to the involvement of low-temperature or vacuum environments, demonstrated optimal performance in preserving microstructure, antioxidant activity, active ingredients, and flavor. However, F-D was time-consuming (1320 min) and had an energy consumption of 2.69 times that of HA-D, limiting its large-scale application. V-D struck the best balance between energy consumption and product quality, making it a highly promising drying method for GE.