Moisture Content Levels Research Articles

Determination of the Optimum Moisture Content for the Whole Kernel Recovery During the Cracking Process of Oil Palm Nuts

This study aimed to investigate the effect of moisture content on palm nut cracking and kernel production using a locally fabricated palm nut cracker. Palm nuts of mixed varieties (Dura, Tenera, and Pisifera) were manually cleaned and dried at different moisture content levels ranging from 8.53% to 26.82%. The palm nut cracker is designed with four major units: the in-feed unit, cracking unit, discharge unit and the driving unit. The cracking efficiency was determined by calculating the ratio of completely cracked nuts to the total nuts fed into the hopper. Results show that the whole kernel recovery varies considerably with moisture content and cracking speed. At the lowest moisture content of 8.58%, the whole kernel recovery is generally low across all the cracking speeds. As the moisture content increases, there is a significant improvement in whole kernel recovery at all the cracking speeds. The highest whole kernel recovery was obtained at intermediate moisture contents of around 14% to 18%, and the cracking speeds of 1000 rpm to 1400 rpm. The ANOVA table shows that both the cracking speed and moisture content have a significant effect on whole kernel recovery. Optimizing these parameters could lead to higher whole kernel recovery. However, it is important to note that other factors such as the cultivar of the nut and the equipment used may also affect the whole kernel recovery.

Radio frequency inactivation of Bacillus cereus and natural microbiota in brown rice: Evaluation of inactivation kinetics and germination capacity

Brown rice and its sprout are prone to be contaminated by foodborne pathogens, resulting in potential safety issues. Effective pasteurization methods rely on the thermal death kinetics of the targeted microorganisms and gemination rate of brown rice. This study investigated the influence of five temperature and four moisture content (MC) levels on inactivation kinetics of Bacillus cereus or native microbiota and germination capacity changes of brown rice by radio frequency (RF) heating using first-order, Weibull and Biphasic models. Results showed that increasing MC and treatment temperature greatly enhanced the inactivation of B. cereus but excessive temperature (>75 °C) impaired seed physiology and reduced germination capacity of brown rice. The selected RF treatment (85 °C for 20 min and 80 °C for 30 min for samples with 14.2 % w.b., 75 °C for 30 min, 80 °C for 20 min, and 85 °C for 5 min for samples with 16.2 % w.b.) could reduce the populations of B. cereus by approximately 4.0 log CFU/g, whereas the reductions in total bacteria, yeasts and molds were less than 3.0 log CFU/g. Compared with the first-order linear model and Biphasic model, Weibull model provided the better fitted inactivation kinetics with superior statistical values (R2: 0.944–0.999; RMSE: 0.002–0.879) and validation indices (accuracy factor: 1.003–1.034; bias factor: 0.991–1.025) at all MCs and temperatures. The established Weibull model may offer a reliable method for fitting the inactivation kinetics of B. cereus in brown rice and would help the grain industry to develop effective RF pasteurization protocols.

Chemical Composition of Acid Soluble Collagen (ASC) Isolated from Indonesia Local “Kacang” Goat Skin (<i>Capra aegagrus hocus</i>)

Collagen from the local "Kacang” goat skin is a natural raw material in the halal food industry in Indonesia. This study aims to isolate acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from “Kacang” goat skin and characterize its chemical properties. The collagen was derived from one-year-old goat skin and cured in acid condition for 48 hours at 4°C to eliminate meats, fat, and hair. The cleaned skins were treated at 1:10 (w/v) of 0.1 M NaOH for 0, 24, and 48 h at 4°C. It was then neutralized in distilled water and extracted with 0.5 M acetic acid at a 1:10 (w/v) ratio for 24, 48, and 72 h at 4°C. The yield of ASC was 21%, characterized by chemical composition, soluble protein, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and protein molecular weight. The chemical composition of ASC was 11.15% (moisture), 9.04% (protein), 0.98% (fat), and 0.052% (ash). ASC has the highest collagen solubility in NaCl 5% at pH 2. ASC also has thermal stability with a low profile pattern of molecular weight. In conclusion, “Kacang” goat skin from Indonesia might be used to make a value-added product because it has a high moisture content and low fat level.

Extraction and Nutritional Value of Soybean Meal Protein Isolate

The increasing protein demand driven by global population growth necessitates the search for an alternative protein source. Soybean meal (SM), with approximately 47–49% proteins, is a viable option. Soymeal protein isolate (SMPI) is a cost-efficient protein source with a well-balanced amino acid profile, making it suitable for addressing this demand. This study attempts to address the lack of information regarding the extractability and nutritional potential of SMPI obtained utilizing a weak base and recoverable solvent. In this work, the structural and compositional studies of SMPI, as well as the aqueous extractability of ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), are investigated. Furthermore, we examined the effects of heat treatment during oil extraction, where a comparison between protein isolates from soymeal and whole soybeans was carried out. The maximum extraction yield of 24.1% was achieved by increasing the concentration of NH4OH from 0.25–1%. In comparison to the soy protein isolate from whole soybeans (SPI), the compositional analysis report revealed that SMPI had higher levels of crude protein, moisture, and ash content, but lower levels of fat and carbohydrates. Furthermore, the examination of the amino acid composition confirms the existence of vital amino acids in SMPI. The amino acid score indicates that methionine, lysine, and threonine are the limiting amino acids. SMPI and SPI share structural and functional group similarities, as demonstrated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Gel electrophoresis using sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide shows that the protein molecular weight distributions of SPI and SMPI are similar. This in-depth evaluation emphasizes the advantages of SM by advocating its application in other sectors beyond conventional animal feed, such as nutritional supplements and bio-based products, and by improving the environmental sustainability and global food chains.

Influence of Environmental Conditions on Bacterial Remediation of Oil-Contaminated Soil: A Case Study at Baiji Refinery

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) are a major environmental pollutant, posing serious risks to soil health and ecosystems. TPH contamination, often resulting from crude oil spills and industrial activities, significantly disrupts soil structure, reduces fertility, and hinders the growth of plants and soil-dwelling organisms. In the environment, TPH compounds persist due to their hydrophobic nature, leading to long-term ecological damage. They can infiltrate groundwater, compromising its purity and presenting health hazards to humans and wildlife. The existence of TPH in soil modifies the population of bacteria, reduces biodiversity, and impedes natural processes such as nutrient cycling. Effective bioremediation techniques, such as microbial degradation, are essential for mitigating the harmful impacts of TPH on soil and the broader environment. This study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable remediation strategies to restore contaminated soils and protect ecological and human health. This study investigates the influence of environmental circumstances on bacteria employed for the remediation of soil polluted with crude oil, focusing on bacterial strains sourced from the Baiji refinery in Iraq. Microbial rehabilitation is an economical and environmentally sustainable method for decomposing hydrocarbons into simpler molecules, making it an effective method for soil bioremediation. The study monitored biodegradation over seven months, assessing the degradation efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Environmental factors, including temperature, moisture levels, and nutrient availability, were closely monitored to assess their impact on bacterial activity. Ideal moisture range for bacterial growth and hydrocarbon degradation is often cited as 40% to 60% of the soil's WHC. Too much water can reduce oxygen availability in the soil, inhibiting aerobic bacterial growth, while too little water can limit microbial metabolism. Temperature affects bacterial metabolism and the rate of hydrocarbon degradation. Most hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria thrive in mesophilic conditions. The ideal temperature range for TPH degradation by bacteria is generally between 25°C and 35°C. At temperatures below 15°C, microbial activity and degradation rates slow significantly, while temperatures above 40°C can inhibit bacterial growth or even kill the microbes. The results revealed that the moisture: 40%–60% of soil's water-holding capacity and temperature 25°C–35°C maintaining these conditions promotes the optimal breakdown of hydrocarbons in bioremediation efforts. The results revealed significant degradation of crude oil, with a reduction of 40 initial compounds in untreated samples to 25-35 compounds in treated samples. The biodegradation rates increased steadily over time, with a removal efficiency reaching 72.38% by the end of the experiment. Additionally, the study demonstrated that environmental conditions, particularly temperature and moisture, play a pivotal role in optimizing bacterial degradation activity. These findings underscore the potential of bacteria in bioremediation efforts and the necessity of optimal environmental conditions, such as controlled temperature, moisture content, and nutrient levels, are essential for maximizing the efficiency of crude oil degradation in contaminated soils.

Controlling the quality of Patinopecten yessoensis from the perspective of the ultrasound and ferulic acid influences.

In this study, the effects of ultrasound combined with ferulic acid (FA) on the quality of the Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) adductor muscles (SAM) during refrigerated storage were investigated. The results demonstrated that the combined treatment with 350W ultrasound and FA (UFA) significantly delayed enzyme activities and microbial growth in SAM tissues compared to FA treatment alone. After 6 days of cold storage, samples treated with UFA exhibited higher hardness (2850g), lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS=9.35 MDA mg/g SAM), and lower total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N=19.75mg/100g SAM) values compared to control and FA-treated samples. Consequently, UFA treatment prolonged the shelf life of SAM by 3 days during storage at 4°C. Based on scanning electron microscopy and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance data, these findings are attributed to UFA treatment not only reducing the degradation of SAM tissue network structure but also minimizing water loss. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Scallop adductor muscle (SAM) is commonly considered a delicacy owing to its unique mouthfeel and delicious taste. However, owing to its high moisture content and high levels of various nutrients, SAM has a short shelf life. In this work, a combination of ultrasound with ferulic acid (UFA) has been found to have effective preservation effects on SAM during refrigerated storage. Our study findings pave the way for a potential approach to maintain scallop quality during processing and storage. Moreover, our study also provides some theoretical basis for using and promoting these technologies in aquatic products.

Karakteristik Sensori dan Fisikokimia Kukis dari Campuran Tepung Mocaf dan Tepung Kulit Buah Naga

To support the goal of zero waste outlined in the sustainable development goals (SDGs), repurposing dragon fruit peel waste presents a promising opportunity. In Indonesia, the high demand for dragon fruit leads to the generation of considerable organic waste. This study explored the use of dragon fruit peel flour, combined with modified cassava (mocaf) flour, as a wheat flour alternative to improve the sensory and chemical properties of gluten-free cookies. The research involved preparing the flours and cookies, followed by conducting sensory, physical, and chemical analyses. A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed, testing five formulations with varying ratios of mocaf flour to dragon fruit peel flour. The results indicated that 73% of panelists preferred the crispiness of cookies containing 25% dragon fruit peel flour, while 60% were satisfied with the color of cookies containing 45% dragon fruit peel flour. Physical analysis showed no significant differences in thickness or bake loss, but there were notable differences in diameter, spread ratio, and color. As the proportion of dragon fruit peel flour increased, the cookies showed significant improvements in chemical characteristics, including higher levels of moisture, ash, fat, protein, and fiber content. Additionally, the content of total phenolics and antioxidant activity increased with higher ratios of dragon fruit peel flour, reaching 1.14 mg GAE/g for total phenolics and 662.64 mg AAE/g for antioxidant activity. FTIR analysis revealed a consistent absorbance pattern across samples, with minor variations in peak intensities at specific wavenumbers. Based on the sensory, physical, and chemical evaluations, cookies containing 45% dragon fruit peel flour were recommended for production.

DETERMINATION OF SOME SELECTED PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THREE VARIETIES OF GARLIC (Allium sativum Linn) AT DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONTENTS

Some physical properties of three common varieties (in Kano State, Nigeria) of garlic cloves Ex-kofa, Dangin kura and Mai-makulli variety were determined and compared. These properties were obtained at five moisture content levels of 56.72, 42.85, 34.93, 26.48 and 13.68 % d. b. The ranges of the dimensions measured at the stated moisture content levels for Ex-kofa, variety were 25.35-20.56 mm, 13.33-8.16 mm, 16.36 -10.51 mm, for polar diameter, equatorial diameter and thickness respectively. Similarly, the values obtained for Dangin Kura were 22.25-18.41 mm, 9.78-5.85 mm and 11.91-7.21 mm. The values for Mai mukulli, respectively, were 24.46-20.41 mm, 14.25-10.05 mm and 11.16 - 6.64 mm. The Geometric mean diameter, Arithmetic mean diameter and Sphericity ranges were 14.83-10.64 mm, 16.15-12.09 mm and 0.61-0.53 for Ex-kofa, while 14.23-10.49 mm, 15.57-11.89 mm and 0.64-0.53 are for Dangin kura variety. Similarly, for Mai-makulli variety respectively, the values are 15.10-10.47 mm, 13.93-9.68 mm and 0.63-0.52. The Surface area, Cross-sectional Area and Shape Index range was 232.25-129.83 mm2, 618.86-348.19 mm2 and 0.72-0.65 for Ex-kofa. That for Dangin kura were 244.87-125.06 mm2, 701.36-335.90 mm2 and 0.68-0.65. While 233.35-122.80 mm2, 617.92-313.33 mm2 and 0.71-0.62 were values for Mai-makulli variety respectively. The range for mean values of bulk density, true density and porosity for the garlic cloves were measured as 768.30-350.40 kg/m3, 1185-699.30 kg/m3 and 34.83-49.93 for Ex-kofa variety. While 762.96-352.46 kg/m3, 1197.73-757.73 kg/m3 and 35.80-49.42 were for Dangin kura variety. Similarly, the ranges of values for Mai-makulli variety were 759.70-353.20 kg/m3, 1208.06-692.73 kg/m3 and 35.41-49.01 respectively. Results of statistical analysis ANOVA showed that the moisture content had significant effect on all the properties. The variety has significant effect on dimensions and arithmetic mean diameter. From the findings, it reveals that mean values of these properties were found to be higher at higher moisture levels for all the varieties. For porosity, however, the higher values were obtained at lower moisture levels.

Evaluating the Impact of Moisture Content and Loading Orientation on the Geometrical Characteristics and Mechanical Behavior of Cassava Tubers

This study investigates the geometrical and mechanical properties of two cassava varieties: ‘Newly Elected No. 48’ and ‘Jin Yue HRMUS’. We analyzed various properties, including width, length, geometric diameter, thickness, compression firmness, shape ratio, surface area, shear strength, rupture force, and shear rupture force (SRF), at different moisture content (MC) levels ranging from 35.0 to 80.0% wet basis. Our findings indicate that all mechanical properties of cassava (MPC) were significantly influenced by moisture content within this range. Specifically, as moisture content decreases, the compression rupture force (CRF) increases linearly in the vertical direction, while a quadratic relationship is observed in the horizontal direction, characterized by an initial increase followed by a decrease. Additionally, a quadratic relationship was established between moisture content and firmness. In contrast, shear fracture force and strength exhibited a quadratic relationship that decreased initially and then increased with rising moisture content. Furthermore, both compression and shear fracture forces were significantly higher in the vertical loading direction compared to the horizontal direction. Notably, the ‘Jin Yue HRMUS’ variety demonstrated greater mechanical strength than the ‘Newly Elected No. 48’. These findings provide valuable insights for developing, optimizing, and evaluating cassava harvesting and processing machinery.

Porosity of green body: A potential essential factor regulating the making of sintered ceramsite from aluminum-based drinking water treatment residuals

Ceramsite is commonly applied in filtration systems for water treatment and aluminum (Al)-based drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) has been widely reported to have high potential to be recycled as main ingredient to make the sintered ceramsite. Various key factors affecting ceramsite making (e.g., composition and sintering temperature) have been identified to promote the beneficial recycling; however, according to sintering processes, this study hypothesized that porosity of green body was also a potential key factor, and then moisture content of green body (33 %-40 %) and particle size of DWTR (< 425 μm), which were the parameters initially considered for ceramsite making, were adopted to regulate the porosity for affecting characteristics and mechanisms investigation. The results verified the hypothesis and showed that increasing moisture content tended to decrease loss on ignition, apparent density, and bulk density, to increase water absorption, and to cause rougher surface of ceramsites, promoting the maximum Cu adsorption capacity of the ceramsite (estimated by Langmuir model); while at medium level of moisture content (e.g., 35 %), a relatively high compressive strength, strong Cu adsorbability (evaluated by Freundlich model), and low solubility in hydrochloric acid were found. Moreover, larger sized DWTR tended to increase loss on ignition, broken rate, solubility in hydrochloric acid, silt content, and water absorption, to reduce apparent density and compressive strength, and to cause rougher surface of the ceramsite, promoting the maximum adsorption capacity and decreasing the adsorbability of Cu. Further analysis suggested that moisture content was mainly through regulating total volume of voids and amount of raw materials to affect sintering, while particle size was mainly through regulating the contacting of particles. These results demonstrated the importance of the moisture contents of green body and the particle size of DWTR on affecting sintered ceramsite making, and porosity of green body was recommended to be taken as an essential factor when determining the optimal condition to make sintered ceramsite making.

Detection of moisture and size of winter melon seeds based on hyperspectral imaging and convex polygon size measurement

The level of moisture content and size of winter melon seeds affect their storage, germination and growth processes. Moderate moisture and size are essential for seed germination and growth. Therefore, detecting the moisture and size of winter melon seeds is beneficial to improve their germination rate. Traditional seed moisture testing methods are complex to operate and require destructive sample preparation or chemical treatment. Common dimensional measurement methods are also time-consuming and laborious. Hyperspectral imaging technology can acquire information about the surface and internal structure of the target separately, it can be used to quickly and non-destructively detect the moisture and size of winter melon seeds. In this study, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and partial least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) models were established to predict the moisture content of winter melon seeds by using reflection and transmittance spectral data. The models were optimized using five variable selection methods. The optimal performance of the LSSVM model based on the CARS algorithm was achieved in both single reflection and transmission spectra. The RP2 and RMSEP of the model based on the reflection spectra were 0.9667 % and 0.0215 %, respectively. The RP2 and RMSEP of the model based on the transmission spectra were 0.9644 % and 0.0223 %, respectively. In low-level data fusion, the LSSVM model based on the CARS algorithm also achieved optimal performance, but with only a little improvement compared to a single model (reflection spectra or transmission spectra), with RP2 and RMSEP of 0.9679 % and 0.0212 %, respectively. In the mid-level data fusion, the LSSVM model also based on the CARS algorithm achieved the optimal performance, and the performance of the model was further improved. The RP2 and RMSEP of the model were 0.9738 % and 0.0191 %, respectively. Finally, the image processing algorithm and the convex polygon size measurement method was proposed to measure the size of winter melon seeds. The absolute error between the calibrated winter melon seed length and width and the true length and width was less than 0.22 mm, and the relative error was less than 2 %. The results show that hyperspectral imaging technology can accurately detect the water content of winter melon seeds. Data fusion method and LSSVM model based on CARS algorithm can detect the water content of winter melon seeds more accurately. The image processing algorithm combined with the convex polygon size measurement method can be effectively used to detect the size of winter melon seeds with high precision.

Investigating the Impact of Moisture Levels on Structural Alterations and Physicochemical Properties of Cassava Flour through Extrusion: A Comprehensive Study.

The extrusion process, a vital technique for starch modification, is notably influenced by the moisture content (MC). This study aimed to elucidate the effect of varying MC levels (18, 22, 26, and 30%) on the structural and physicochemical characteristics of cassava flour during extrusion. Extrusion resulted in the fraction of degree of polymerization 13‒24, degree of branching, and molecular weight increased with increasing MC, with values of above indexes being 32.29%, 1.05%, and 1.21 × 105 g/mol, respectively, at a MC of 18%. This suggested that the degradation of amylopectin and amylose. Additionally, there was an increase in rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and a decrease in slowly digestible starch (SDS) in the extrudates in comparison to the native cassava flour. The extrusion of cassava flour at 18% MC exhibited the highest levels of RDS and SDS, reaching 64.52% and 4.06%, respectively. These findings indicated that low moisture extrusion could be a more effective method for disrupting the structure of cassava starch and enhancing the digestibility of cassava flour, offering valuable insights for the optimized use of cassava extrudates in various applications.

Study of moisture sorption thermodynamic in canola oilseed and drying energy requirement considerations

AbstractThe objective of this study is to derive the thermodynamic characteristics from sorption isotherm data for canola. The semi‐gravimetric method was utilized at three different temperatures (25, 40, and 55°C) and seven air relative humidity levels within the range of 11%–90%. The observed data indicated that the equilibrium moisture content of the sample decreased as the temperature increased. The “GAB and BET” models were applied to fit the empirical data, which demonstrated a Type III isotherm, and the monolayer water content was subsequently determined using these models. Thermodynamic properties such as “isosteric heat,” “net isosteric heat,” “differential entropy,” “net integral entropy,” and “net integral enthalpy” were determined from isothermal sorption curves. The results show that as moisture content increases, both the sorption isosteric heat and the differential entropy of sorption decrease. This indicates that at higher moisture levels, the energy required for additional moisture adsorption and the changes in entropy are reduced. Similarly, the net isosteric heat of sorption and the net integral enthalpy of sorption also decrease with increasing moisture content, consistent with the observed reductions in isosteric heat and differential entropy. The specific absorption surface area for each temperature was determined by calculating the monolayer moisture content using both the “GAB and BET models.” The net integral entropy had an increasing trend in the range of 4%–4.5% (db%), while it decreased in the range of 4.5%–6.8% of moisture content. In addition, the spreading pressure at three levels of temperature was reported. Finally, an empirical relation was employed to illustrate the cumulative energy requirement for drying versus moisture content. The results indicated that at low moisture content levels, the drying process required significantly higher energy.Practical applicationsMoisture sorption isotherms are essential for understanding the interaction between water and food ingredients. This knowledge is vital for improving food processing methods such as drying, mixing, cooling, and storage. In industry, isotherms can help determine the best drying method to maintain food quality, identify the optimal mixing conditions to ensure consistency, establish cooling protocols to prevent spoilage, and set storage guidelines to extend shelf life. In addition, understanding thermodynamic properties is crucial for regulating moisture absorption and release, achieving the desired food texture, managing surface characteristics, and calculating the energy needed for effective dehydration processes.

Mechanisms and advancements in microwave-enhanced CO2 mineralization of lightweight porous concrete

Lightweight porous concrete (LPC) typically exhibits low early strength, which can be addressed by enhancing early strength through carbon dioxide (CO2) mineralization curing while achieving permanent CO2 sequestration. The efficacy of this process relies on maintaining optimal moisture levels. This study investigates the influence of moisture content on the performance of solid waste-based lightweight porous concrete blocks (RSFAC) subjected to microwave heating pretreatment. Moisture levels were adjusted to 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% (initial water-to-cement ratio of 45.4%) before undergoing mineralization curing within an environment set at a temperature of 20 °C, relative humidity 75%, and a CO2 concentration of 40% for a duration of 0.5 h. The impact of moisture content on RSFAC's compressive strength, carbon sequestration rate, mineralization products, and microstructure was evaluated. Results indicate that compared to conventional oven pretreatment methods requiring nearly 10 h, microwave pretreatment technology achieves equivalent water content within just 50 min, significantly reducing the time needed for mineralization pretreatment. RSFAC, when pretreated with microwave heating, outperforms untreated samples (Ref-0 and Ref-1) in terms of compressive strength and carbon sequestration efficiency. Optimal performance was observed at a moisture content level of 30%, with the highest recorded compressive strength achieved at 1, 3, and 7 d respectively. At the curing age of 7 d, the compressive strength reached up to 2.32 MPa while the carbon sequestration rate reached approximately 11.61%. Furthermore, aragonite and calcite (tetrahedral and hexahedral), without poorly crystalline spherulites, were identified as the main crystalline CaCO3 generated by RSFAC under this specific moisture content condition; pores larger than 50 nm served as primary reaction sites for RSFAC mineralization curing, whereas there was a significant increase in pore proportion with sizes less than 20 nm after filling with mineralization products.

A Comprehensive Review of LiDAR Applications in Crop Management for Precision Agriculture.

Precision agriculture has revolutionized crop management and agricultural production, with LiDAR technology attracting significant interest among various technological advancements. This extensive review examines the various applications of LiDAR in precision agriculture, with a particular emphasis on its function in crop cultivation and harvests. The introduction provides an overview of precision agriculture, highlighting the need for effective agricultural management and the growing significance of LiDAR technology. The prospective advantages of LiDAR for increasing productivity, optimizing resource utilization, managing crop diseases and pesticides, and reducing environmental impact are discussed. The introduction comprehensively covers LiDAR technology in precision agriculture, detailing airborne, terrestrial, and mobile systems along with their specialized applications in the field. After that, the paper reviews the several uses of LiDAR in agricultural cultivation, including crop growth and yield estimate, disease detection, weed control, and plant health evaluation. The use of LiDAR for soil analysis and management, including soil mapping and categorization and the measurement of moisture content and nutrient levels, is reviewed. Additionally, the article examines how LiDAR is used for harvesting crops, including its use in autonomous harvesting systems, post-harvest quality evaluation, and the prediction of crop maturity and yield. Future perspectives, emergent trends, and innovative developments in LiDAR technology for precision agriculture are discussed, along with the critical challenges and research gaps that must be filled. The review concludes by emphasizing potential solutions and future directions for maximizing LiDAR's potential in precision agriculture. This in-depth review of the uses of LiDAR gives helpful insights for academics, practitioners, and stakeholders interested in using this technology for effective and environmentally friendly crop management, which will eventually contribute to the development of precision agricultural methods.

A LITERATURE REVIEW OF KEY FINDINGS IN FUNDAMENTAL FOREST FIRE RESEARCH

The purpose of this review is to examine key findings in the fundamental research of wildfire flammability characteristics. The review begins with a brief introduction, highlighting the growing need for more detailed research into the development of forest fires due to increasingly pronounced climate changes. This is followed by an overview of the application of devices operating on the principle of calorimetry, emphasizing additional possibilities for setting and adjusting these devices. Upon reviewing the literature, it becomes evident that the majority of research on the flammability of forest vegetation is primarily focused on the moisture content levels in fuels. For this reason, the third part of this paper is dedicated to exploring the influence of moisture content on the flammability of forest vegetation. Towards the end, an overview of the types and possibilities of igniting forest fuel is provided, with a particular emphasis on the creation of firebrands as a source of ignition for vegetative fuel.

UPDAPS-Flood: a mechanistic-empirical flexible pavement analysis tool to evaluate the effect of flooding events on flexible pavement performance

ABSTRACT Flooding can cause considerable damage to flexible pavements and negatively affects their performance over time. This study aims to evaluate the flooding effects on the flexible pavement performance and the potential resiliency of the pavement network through a mechanistic-empirical (ME) pavement analysis approach. The Unified Pavement Distress Analysis and Prediction System (UPDAPS) programme, which includes ME analysis models, was used to develop the UPDAPS-Flood programme. A total of 7,655 flexible pavement sections were extracted from the Highway Pavement Management System (HPMS) database in three United States regions. Finally, the resiliency of the pavement network to flood events was quantified using the loss of pavement service life based on the international roughness index (IRI). The results showed that flooding has the highest impact on rutting performance, followed by IRI and fatigue cracking. It has been found that a proper drainage system can reduce the flooding impact by a factor of two. The predicted pavement performance was found to be very sensitive to the coefficients of the rutting model, which brings the need for further studies to re-calibrate the rutting prediction model at higher moisture content levels.

A new cohesive-based modelling of moisture-dependent mode II delamination of carbon/epoxy composites

The cohesive zone model (CZM) is widely employed for simulating delamination and debonding behaviour in engineering structures. However, the choice of CZM shape impacts the accuracy of simulation results. Therefore, the selection of a suitable Traction-Separation Law (TSL) with appropriate cohesive parameters is crucial. This study focuses on simulating the mode II delamination of unidirectional carbon/epoxy composites under varying moisture content levels (0%, 2.2%, 3.8%, and 5.3%) using the End Notched Flexure (ENF) test. Trapezoidal TSL (TTSL) with varying pseudo-plasticity parameter (Γ) was implemented and compared. A guideline was proposed in this study to aid in the selection of cohesive parameters, and a relationship between these parameters and moisture content was established. The results indicate that Γ = 0.99 yields a more accurate force-displacement response compared to Γ = 0. The estimated cohesive zone length falls within the range of 2.0–2.4 mm. During crack growth, the analysis reveals that, at the peak force, a region approximately 0.5–0.6 mm ahead of the crack tip undergoes total failure. Simultaneously, damage initiation occurs in the region 2.3–2.4 mm beyond the complete failure zone.

Spray-Dried Jaboticaba Powder as Food Resource

Jaboticaba, a popular Brazilian fruit, has recently garnered scientific interest due to its nutritional properties and high levels of bioactive compounds. However, this fruit is highly perishable due to its high moisture content and physical–chemical structure. Therefore, it is imperative to employ methods for preserving it and explore its potential as a food resource. This study investigates the use of a spray drying method to dehydrate whole jaboticaba fruits. The effects of air temperature (T) ranging from 67.9 to 132.1 °C, air flow rate (AF) from 1.54 to 1.86 m3/min, maltodextrin concentration (M) from 8.9 to 41.1%, and feed flow rate (FF) from 0.36 to 0.84 L/h on the moisture content, drying yield, and bioactive compounds (total phenolic, total flavonoid, citric acid, and ascorbic acid contents) were quantified. The results indicate that spray drying can produce a powder with reduced moisture content levels, a satisfactory drying yield, and high levels of bioactive compounds if performed under specific conditions. An optimization study using desirability analysis shows that having T, AF, M, and FF at 132.1 °C, 1.86 m3/min, 15.0%, and 0.4549 L/h, respectively, is the optimal condition for the studied variables. Spray drying has proven to be a very promising alternative for jaboticaba processing, enabling better applications as a food resource.

Effect of moisture content levels on the quality of beech wood cut by CO2 laser

Effect of moisture content levels on the quality of beech wood cut by CO2 laser