Artificial neural network (ANN) models have become essential for precise predictions and improving engineering systems. This study investigated the effects of air velocity (2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 m s-1), grain flow rate (5.5, 7.0, and 8.5 kg min-1), and infrared temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C) on drying kinetics, thermal performance, and quality properties in corn using a graphene-based far-infrared dryer. An ANN was used to predict optimal drying conditions to balance heating characteristics for corn quality attributes. The results showed that a 4.0 m s-1 air velocity, 60 °C infrared temperature, and 8.5 kg min-1 flow rate reduced drying time from 8.5 to 3.5 h, lipase activity from 18.92% to 10.78%, and acidity content from 1.88 to 1.22 g NaOH kg-1. The highest drying conditions achieved the lowest energy usage, resulting in a maximum thermal efficiency of 82.28% at minimum drying time. However, increasing the infrared temperature to 40-60 °C while maintaining the same 5.5 kg min-1 grain flow rate and 4.0 m s-1 air velocity resulted in an improved antioxidant activity, from 10.22 to 12.11 g catechin gallate equivalents kg-1 dry weight. The study used precise ANN modeling to highlight the complex interactions between drying parameters and thermal performance, which recorded a strong predictive performance of 99% accuracy. Principal component analysis showed that acidity and energy consumption have commonalities. This study highlights the potential of cutting-edge computational tools to enhance energy efficiency through graphene-based heating without compromising product quality. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mechanisms of vacuum steam pulsed blanching on daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni): Enhancing physicochemical properties, drying efficiency, volatile compound diversity, and plant chemical constituent accumulation.

Chronic wounds, particularly those associated with diabetes and infections, remain a significant clinical challenge due to delayed healing and increasing antibiotic resistance. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate a liquid bandage incorporating curcumin-loaded calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNPs) for enhanced wound healing. CaPNPs were synthesized using a co-precipitation method with chitosan as a stabilizer. The optimized formulation exhibited a particle size of 236.9 nm, zeta potential of +19 mV, entrapment efficiency of 78.6%, and PDI of 0.740. The liquid bandage showed suitable physicochemical properties, including pH 5.28, rapid drying time (3–4 min), and good film-forming ability. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated sustained release, with 94.99% ± 0.8% from nanoparticles and 92.12% ± 0.4% from the liquid bandage over 300–420 min. Antimicrobial studies revealed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus (16 ± 0.5 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.1 ± 0.3 mm). These findings indicate that the developed system provides a multifunctional platform combining sustained drug delivery, antimicrobial efficacy, and favorable application properties. Therefore, the curcumin-loaded CaPNPs liquid bandage shows promising potential as an advanced topical wound care system.

ABSTRACTThe present study aimed to evaluate the quality and nutritional properties of guava slices dried in a greenhouse solar dryer (operated under mixed and direct modes) and an electric stove at 50°C. The results showed that mixed‐mode solar drying resulted in greater retention of vitamin C (112.60 mg/100 g), carotenoids (0.37 mg/g), and antioxidant activity (95.77%). The proximate analysis showed that mixed‐mode drying yielded better nutrient results, such as protein (3.29%), fat (3.33%), and ash (3.50%). The colorimetric analysis revealed that guava samples dried in mixed‐mode solar drying exhibited a lower total color difference (ΔE = 8.92) compared to those dried in direct solar mode (ΔE = 14.62) and electric stove (ΔE = 14.95). Dryer efficiency varied between experiments. The mixed‐mode configuration achieved a solar collector efficiency of 34.89% and a drying efficiency of 13.16%. In contrast, the direct‐mode dryer achieved higher efficiency on the first day (18.43%), but its performance declined significantly on the second day of drying. These findings underscore the potential of mixed‐mode greenhouse solar drying as a promising technique for preserving guava quality while reducing overall drying time. Moreover, the system benefits from utilizing solar energy as its primary source, offering a sustainable and cost‐effective alternative to conventional drying methods.Practical ApplicationsThe results of this research are of great importance for fruit drying using a greenhouse solar dryer, since the introduction of solar drying technologies will help the agricultural sector better conserve its crops, reduce losses, and increase the commercial value of its products. Furthermore, it presents an opportunity to introduce a new product—dehydrated guava—which, due to its concentrated active compounds, can be incorporated into dietary supplements, nutrition bars, fortified flours, and functional extracts used as additives in beverages, liquid supplement formulations, or capsules.

Towards time and energy optimization of the drying process via structural redesign of a tray batch dryer

In this study, an indirect forced convection solar cabinet dryer was developed and experimentally evaluated for drying red chili under Ethiopian climate conditions. Drying temperature, relative humidity, and mass loss of chili were measured at different sections of the dryer to investigate drying behaviour and system performance. Drying kinetics were analyzed using ten commonly applied thin-layer drying models to identify the most suitable model for describing the evaluated moisture removal characteristics. The results showed that the red chilies placed on the lower tray dried faster than those on the middle and upper trays due to higher drying air temperature and lower relative humidity near the collector outlet. The moisture content of chili was reduced from an initial value of approximately 80% (wet basis) to the safe storage level of 11-12% within 39-42 hours using the solar cabinet dryer, while open sun drying required about 72-75 hours. The page model provided the best fit to the experimental data. The average solar collector efficiency ranged from 48.2% to 66.01%, depending on solar radiation conditions. The average overall drying efficiencies of the solar cabinet chili dryer for the lower (tray 1), middle (tray 2), and upper (tray 3) were 24.79%, 23.10%, and 22.2%, respectively, compared to only 6.5% for open sun drying. The maximum drying rate was 0.35 kg/kg.h at Tray1. The solar cabinet dryer reduced the drying time by approximately 42 % as compared to open-sun drying. In a nutshell, the indirect solar cabinet dryer significantly improved drying rate, reduced drying time, and enhanced energy efficiency compared to traditional open sun drying. The results demonstrate the potential of the developed system as an effective and sustainable drying technology for chili processing, particularly for smallholder farmers in regions with similar climate conditions.

We explored the microwave drying of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) wood using a multifaceted approach that encompasses various aspects. The primary objective was to examine drying behavior, drying time, moisture distribution across the core and surface, and to evaluate drying stresses via the prong test. Static bending and compression parallel to the grain were tested to assess the impact of microwave treatments on mechanical properties. The drying process showed a nearly uniform moisture distribution within the wood’s core and on its surface, indicating well-controlled drying. Most notably, the dried wood had no observable drying-induced stresses, suggesting a promising application of microwave drying. However, the volumetric shrinkage (%) was higher in microwave-dried samples (5.65% and 6.51%) than in air-dried samples (4.16%). A reduction in modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and maximum compressive strength (MCS) was observed in the microwave-dried wood. Compared to the air-dried samples, the maximum reductions recorded were 15% for MOE, 18% for MOR, and 15% for MCS. The examination under light microscopy showed that the wood microstructures, such as ray cells and vessel walls, had incurred damage. The diminished mechanical properties could likely be linked to these micro-cracks or damage in the microstructures. The results show that these microstructural changes may significantly increase wood’s permeability. We also attempted to calculate the energy consumption for different microwave treatments. These findings emphasize the need for a balanced approach to optimizing microwave drying methods to mitigate reductions in mechanical properties while capitalizing on the advantages of reduced drying time and controlled, uniform moisture distribution.

Coffee fruit pulp is known to be a rich source of fiber and natural antioxidant compounds. Current research has only exploited this source of by-products as fertilizer, animal feed, and new materials, while research in the food industry is still limited. This research aimed to valorize the coffee pulp by developing a new fruit leather product. The research showed that pectin supplementation at a rate of 2%, with a mixing ratio of two types of pectin, including commercial product with high methoxyl pectin (HMP) and commercial low methoxyl pectin (LMP), at the ratios of 1.5:0.5, 1:1, and 0.5:1.5 g/g, significantly affected the physical properties of the dried coffee fruit leather. All the samples supplemented with pectin had higher rupture force values compared to the control samples. Besides, the addition of pectin slightly changed the drying kinetic characteristics of the sample. Moisture diffusivity decreased with the increase in pectin concentration. However, the dried samples with and without pectin had similar drying time, moisture content, and water activity. The supplementation of pectin improved the panelists’ acceptance of the texture but did not affect the color, odor, and taste characteristics of the product. To further enhance the product's structure, optimization of pectin concentration and the mixing ratio of HMP and LMP, needs to be performed.

This study compares two convective drying methods for Peruvian lucuma fruit: continuous airflow drying (CAD) and interval starting-accessibility drying (ISAD). The Negligible External Resistance (NER) in CAD enables calculation of the internal water diffusivity, Deff, based on CAD kinetics. This is vital for understanding process efficiency, including energy consumption and drying rate. The research also explores how ISAD parameters—active drying time (tON), passive tempering time (tOFF), and the active drying time fraction (α)—affect energy use and drying behavior. Specifically, it examines tON from 0.63 to 1.83 s and tOFF from 19.38 to 58.13 s, evaluates the dried depth immediately after tON for each cycle, and estimates the internal water homogenization time, tHOM. Under the studied ISAD conditions, both active drying time and energy consumption are roughly ten times lower than those of CAD operating under the same airflow conditions.

The effects of thermal and non-thermal pretreatments combined with different drying methods on the drying kinetics, physicochemical properties, and bioactive compounds of the Chilean wild mushroom Morchella conica were investigated. Fresh samples were subjected to hot-air drying (HAD, 60 °C), freeze-drying (FD), and a hybrid process (FD–HAD), applied directly or after pretreatments including thermal pre-drying (55 and 75 °C), ultrasound (US, 10 and 20 min), and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 600 MPa). Drying curves were successfully fitted using the Weibull model (R2 > 0.987), showing that HAD combined with thermal and ultrasound pretreatments increased drying rates, while FD–HAD reduced total drying time. Freeze-drying better preserved color (ΔE < 2) and minimized shrinkage (<8%), whereas HAD produced darker samples and greater structural deformation. Water activity decreased below 0.30 in most treatments, ensuring microbiological stability. Thermal pretreatments enhanced total phenolic content, while FD preserved antioxidant capacity. Principal component analysis explained 62.2% of the total variance, revealing distinct quality profiles among drying methods. Overall, FD and hybrid FD–HAD combined with moderate pretreatments showed the best balance between drying efficiency and quality preservation, while HHP improved antioxidant properties under specific conditions. These findings highlight the potential of integrating innovative pretreatments with drying technologies to optimize processing of Morchella conica.

This study investigated the drying kinetics, energy consumption, and mathematical modelling of African (Nigerian) walnut ( Tetracarpidium conophorum ) using cabinet and oven drying systems at temperatures of 50, 65, and 80 °C, with and without shells. Drying experiments were carried out to determine the removal of moisture, effective diffusivity of moisture, and specific energy consumption. The curves of moisture ratio were analyzed by means of six thin-layer drying equations, and the performance of the equations was tested by means of the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ), root mean square error (RMSE), and sum of squared errors (SSE). Analysis of the results indicates that the drying time decreased significantly with an increase in the drying temperature, with the shortest drying time being obtained using the oven drying method at 80 °C. The value of the effective diffusivity coefficient increased with an increase in the temperature from 6.23 × 10 −8 m 2 s -1 to 4.72 × 10 −7 m 2 s -1 , which indicates that the rate of diffusion of the moisture inside the material increases with an increase in the thermal gradient. The activation energy required for moisture diffusion ranged from 4.79 kJ/mol to 24.61 kJ/mol depending on the method of drying and condition of the sample material. The Midilli & Kucuk model was found to be the best fit among the models used to describe the experimentally obtained results for the different drying conditions. The energy analysis indicated an improvement in the energy efficiency of the drying process with an increase in the drying temperature, owing to the reduced drying time and SEC, with the highest energy efficiency for oven drying at 80 °C, where the SEC was found to be 0.11 kWh/kg of water removed. In a nutshell, the results show that oven drying at 80 °C is the best compromise between drying rate and energy efficiency. This study is significant because it can help optimize the drying process and enhance the industrial utilization of the underutilized oil-rich nut.

Background: This study is focused on developing film-forming systems that combine the ease of application of gels with the protective function of traditional bandages. Conventional dressings often require frequent changes, which can disrupt healing and increase infection risks. Film-forming gels address these limitations by transforming from a topical gel into a flexible, adherent film upon contact with the wound epidermis, creating an optimal healing microenvironment. Objective: The primary objective was to create a wound dressing that effectively shields injuries from external environmental contaminants while preventing microbial growth and infection. This gel-to-bandage system was specifically designed to maintain an optimal healing environment by protecting the wound from spoilage factors and pathogenic microorganisms. The formulation combines the advantages of easy topical application with the protective durability of conventional dressings, offering enhanced wound management through its unique phase transition properties. Key evaluation parameters included the formulation's ability to form a continuous protective film, its antimicrobial efficacy, and its capacity to maintain a sterile wound environment conducive to healing. Method: A film-forming gel was developed using chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as key components. To optimize the formulation, chitosan concentration, PVA content, and PEG ratio were selected as independent variables, while tensile strength, water vapor absorption capacity, and drying time were analyzed as critical dependent response variables. The developed gel was systematically evaluated for essential physicochemical characteristics, including drying time, viscosity, pH, and water vapor absorption properties, to ensure optimal performance and functionality. The method which is adopted for the optimization of the formulation is 23 factorial design on the Design expert software. Discussion: The formulation's superior performance over conventional dressings stems from its quick-drying film formation and moisture control, though future studies should validate its antimicrobial efficacy and in vivo healing potential to confirm clinical applicability. The 23 factorial design effectively optimized critical parameters for wound care applications. Results: The optimized formulation demonstrated excellent mechanical and physicochemical characteristics, with a tensile strength of 93 ± 0.01%, indicating robust structural integrity. The rapid drying time of 8 ± 0.14 minutes facilitates quick clinical application, while the optimal viscosity (10294 ± 0.5 maP.s) ensures easy spreadability. The formulation maintained skin-compatible pH (5.8 ± 0.5) and showed superior film-forming ability, forming a continuous, flexible protective layer. These combined properties confirm the formulation's suitability as an effective gel-to-bandage wound dressing system, meeting all critical performance criteria for wound protection and healing. Conclusion: The optimized chitosan/ PVA/PEG film-forming gel demonstrated excellent mechanical strength (98.34±0.01%), drying (9 ±0.14 min), and ideal viscosity (10294±0.5 maP.s), proving its effectiveness as a protective wound dressing that combines easy application with durable barrier properties.

Experimental performance of heat pump batik dryer with closed-loop airflow system

The long-term durability of thick multilayer 3D-printed walls is limited by poorly understood drying behaviour, which affects moisture management and performance. This study investigates the drying dynamics of a multilayer 3D-printed wall composed of two concrete layers enclosing a lightweight thermal mortar core, using simultaneous extrusion of structural and insulating mortars to streamline construction, reduce labour, and ensure continuous insulation. Gravimetric monitoring of small- and medium-scale specimens was combined with a validated numerical model (maximum deviation 3%) to analyse long-term moisture evolution. Sensitivity analyses evaluated the influence of temperature, relative humidity (RH), material properties, geometry, and configuration. Under constant reference conditions (20°C, 50% RH), the concrete layers acted as diffusion barriers, delaying core drying to nearly 20 years to reach 80% RH. Increasing temperature from 10°C to 50°C reduced drying time from 45 to 5 years, while decreasing RH from 90% to 10% shortened drying from over 50 years to approximately 12 years. Increasing capillary absorption and reducing vapour diffusion resistance accelerated drying by up to 70–74%. Exterior insulation configurations reduced drying time by 65% compared to the reference geometry. Unsteady-state simulations for Lisbon, Brussels, and Warsaw revealed significant climatic influence. In Mediterranean conditions, south-facing walls reached equilibrium in under four years, while north- and west-facing walls in oceanic climates retained the highest moisture levels. Seasonal moisture peaks occurred during winter. These findings highlight the critical role of material compatibility, façade orientation, and climate-responsive design in ensuring moisture control and durability of multilayer 3D-printed wall systems. • Studied drying in 3D-printed multilayer walls with thermal mortar cores. • Validated a numerical model with < 3% deviation from experimental data. • Drying time is influenced by temperature, humidity, and wall configuration. • Cracking linked to moisture gradients and constrained shrinkage in structural layers. • Concrete vapour resistance and absorption strongly impact moisture retention.

Ultrasound strengthened air impingement drying for improving drying efficiency and physicochemical quality of Chaenomeles sinensis slices.

To identify the optimal overall drying performance, the effects of various pretreatments, namely hot water blanching (HB), freeze-thawed (FT), and ultraviolet irradiated (UV), followed by different drying methods, including Sun drying (SD), hot air drying (HAD), infrared radiation drying (IRD), microwave drying (MD), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD) on the drying efficiency, quality attributes and comprehensive score of star anise were investigated. The results indicated that FT effectively shortened drying time, reduced shrinkage, and increased the a* value of dried star anise, without significantly affecting the retention of volatile oil (VO) content and shikimic acid (SA) content. UV only enhanced the redness value under certain drying methods and had no significant impact on other efficiency or quality parameters. In contrast, while blanching pretreatment accelerated drying, it significantly reduced the retention rates of volatile oil and shikimic acid. Among the drying methods, VFD maximized the retention of VO content (10.47%) and SA content (10.27%), yielding the highest product quality but with extremely high drying energy consumption. The process combining freeze-thawed pretreatment with microwave drying (FT-MD) performed excellently in terms of drying time, drying energy consumption (EC), appearance quality, and retention of key chemical components. This process achieved a drying time of 5.25 h, EC of 4.04 kW·h, shrinkage ratio of 33.90%, VO content of 7.99% and SA content of 9.77%, leading scores in multiple evaluation models and is therefore recommended as a balanced solution considering production efficiency, product quality, and processing costs. The findings of this study provide valuable methods and foundational data for the further precise processing of fresh star anise.

The present study focused on improving both pre‑drying and drying processes for STR 20 block rubber using a hot‑air dryer. Integrating hot‑air recirculation with controlled humidity in the drying process significantly affected thick rubber drying. Appropriate humidity control can improve the heat and mass transfer within the rubber blocks and reduce case hardening during the initial high‑temperature period. In the final stage, upward airflow provided more effective moisture removal than downward flow. Forced‑convection pre‑drying with hot air at 80 °C for 20 min proved optimal, shortening total drying time from 260 to 180 min. Specific energy consumption (SEC) decreased from 3.09 to 2.42 MJ/kg‑dried compared with natural‑convection pre‑drying. The cost saving of the proposed process was 0.53 million USD, with a payback period of 1.1 years. Overall, the proposed pre‑ and drying strategy is suitable for commercial STR 20 productions, improving both energy efficiency and drying time without compromising product quality.

Abstract Drying is a key preservation technique for extending the shelf life of highly perishable products such as tomatoes. This study presents a combined experimental, mathematical, and numerical investigation of convective drying (CD), microwave drying (MD), vacuum drying (VD), and hybrid drying techniques applied to tomato slices. Drying kinetics, energy efficiency, temperature distribution, and quality attributes were evaluated through experiments and simulated using MATLAB-based numerical models. The results demonstrate that hybrid drying significantly reduced drying time by up to 45 % compared with conventional convective drying, while improving energy efficiency by approximately 30 %. The moisture content of tomato slices was reduced from an initial value of 15.67 kg water/kg dry matter to a final value of 10.5 ± 0.3 % (wet basis). In addition, hybrid drying exhibited superior quality retention, characterized by a lower total color change (Δ E &lt; 12) and higher vitamin C retention (&gt;70 %) compared with single-stage drying methods. Numerical predictions showed excellent agreement with experimental data, with coefficients of determination ( R 2 ) exceeding 0.98 and low RMSE values for all drying techniques. Overall, the results confirm that hybrid drying provides an efficient and reliable approach for optimizing drying performance while preserving the quality of dried tomato products.

BACKGROUND This study explores the clinical efficacy of endoscopic mastoidectomy revision surgery in treating discharging surgical cavities, analyzes the causes of discharging surgical cavities, and summarizes the key technical points. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 47 patients who underwent endoscopic revision mastoidectomy in the Department of Otolaryngology, Nanshan People's Hospital of Shenzhen from January 2020 to December 2024. Preoperative examinations included temporal bone computed tomography and pure-tone audiometry. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia with continuous irrigating mode of the endoscope. Operation time, complications, dry ear time, dry ear rate, and hearing improvement were recorded, with a follow-up of 6 to 18 months. RESULTS The average age of the 47 patients was 38.74±11.28 years, with 53.19% male and 46.81% female patients. The main causes included insufficient opening of the surgical cavity, recurrence of cholesteatoma, poor drainage of the surgical cavity, and lesions at the tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube. Average operation time was 125.17±45.05 minutes, and the average dry ear time was 75.16±31.44 days. Postoperative dry ear rate was 100%, with no serious complications. Hearing was significantly improved, and there was no recurrence of cholesteatoma during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic revision mastoidectomy can effectively treat discharging mastoid cavity and improve the dry ear rate and hearing by thoroughly removing lesions and optimizing cavity anatomy. Techniques such as continuous irrigating mode and concentrated growth factor combined with hydroxyapatite obliteration help improve surgical safety and prognosis.

The purpose of this study was to examine how temperature and drying time affect the quality of red chili powder. This study took place from December 6 to 21, 2023, at Almuslim Peusangan-Bireuen University's Mathematics and Natural Sciences Laboratory. This study used factorial RAL. There were two factors studied: temperature (S1 = 50°C, S2 = 60°C, and S3 = 70°C) and drying time (P1 = 5 h, P2 = 6 h, and P3 = 7 h). This study's findings include organoleptic tests, moisture content, and yield. The results showed that the temperature treatment at 70°C had a very significant effect on the moisture content of red chili powder, with a moisture of 7.91% and meeting the SNI requirements for dried chili moisture of 11%, but the treatment had no significant effect on the moisture of red chili, yield, or organoleptic test. The drying time treatment had no significant effect on the moisture content of red chili, the moisture content, the yield, and the organoleptic test; however, the 7-h drying time treatment had the highest percentage of the moisture content of red chili and red chili powder, as well as the lowest yield. The organoleptic test on red chili powder treated at 500°C with a drying time of 7 h had the highest color score, namely 3.68 an average score, and the highest aroma score, namely 3.58 with the category of quite like. Keywords: chili powder, drying time, red chili, temperature