Effect of Hormonization Treatment on Yield Quantity and Quality, Contents of Biologically Active Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity in ‘Einset Seedless’ Grapevine Fruits and Raisins

In this study, we determined the effect of hormonization treatment on yield quantity and quality, content of biologically active compounds, and antioxidant activity in fruits and raisins of ‘Einset Seedless’ grapevine. Field studies were conducted in 2017 at Nobilis Vineyard (50°39′ N; 21°34′ E) in the Sandomierz Upland. Analytical studies were carried out in the Laboratory of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Hormonized fruits and raisins, which were dried at 40 °C in a food dryer for 7 days, were the experimental material. It was shown that the application of the hormonization treatment had a significant effect on yield size and quality. The hormonization treatment and the form of plant material analyzed had a significant effect on the content of biologically active compounds and the antioxidant activity in ‘Einset Seedless’ grapevine fruits and raisins. The concentration of applied gibberellic acid had a significant effect on the levels of acidity, content of anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity determined with the FRAP and DPPH methods. The application of the multivariate analysis technique showed that, in the fresh fruits and raisins, the level of biologically active compounds and antioxidant activity in the case of the 200 mg∙GA3∙L−1 concentration and in the control combination was similar but differed significantly in the case of the 300 mg∙GA3∙L−1 application.

Performance Evaluation of a Rice Hull-fueled Cabinet Food Dryer

This study was conducted to determine the technical performance of a rice hull-fueled cabinet food dryer. Data gathered from the drying performance in terms of drying behavior, drying rate, and dryer heat utilization efficiency using cassava chips was analyzed through an experimental design. The study also evaluated fuel consumption, thermal conversion efficiency, energy use efficiency, heat utilization efficiency, temperature distribution and economic performance. Results indicated that the dryer's average fuel consumption and the thermal conversion efficiency is 11.19 kg/hr and 6.17%. While the energy use efficiency is 41.51%, and the dryer efficiency is 11.79 %. The moisture reduction of the rice hull-fueled dryer is 8.156 kg/hr, and the heat utilization efficiency is 41.51%. The break-even of using the dryer is ₱ 4.988/kg; if rented out at ₱ 59.86/hr, the payback period is 0.988 batch/hr.

Experimental Studies on Natural Convection Open and Closed Solar Drying Using External Reflector

This work presents the experimental investigation on a solar food dryer equipped with external reflectors to enhance the rate of drying efficiency by removing the moisture content available in the anchovy fish. A comparison on conventional open solar drying is carried out to assess the parameters such as drying efficiency, moisture removal rate, and heat energy required for drying the anchovy fish using the modified solar dryer using natural convection technique. The physical examination results on the dried products proved that using modified solar dryer, the dried product are free from insects, dust. Also, it is found that the loss of colour from the product is minimum while compared to conventional open solar drying. The results showed that the thermal efficiency of dryer 1 and dryer 2 are comparatively higher as compared to that of conventional open solar drying and found as 16.73 and 19.34 % respectively.

Development and Experimental Analysis of a Solar Cum Electrical Food Dryer

The most preferred method for preserving food or related products for a long time period is drying. In various countries of the world, the utilization of solar thermal systems in the field of agricultural for conserving fruits, vegetables, coffee and other related crops has revealed to be economical, practical, and environmental friendly. Solar heating systems to dry food and other crops can improve the quality of the product, while reducing wasted produce. This paper deals with development of solar cum eclectically operated food dryer. The fabrication of hybrid dryer is carried out which will be used for the drying process. The amounts of solar radiations are collected through transparent sheet or glass and they are entered in to dryer. Then, amount of heat will get generated in dryer and it will be circulated through fan in dryer itself which will be suitable for drying purpose. The experimentation is also carried out on two foods related to drying process at normal temperature and using this dryer obtained temperature. After experimentation it has been observed that there is difference in temperature at outside the dryer and inside the dryer. The temperature generated inside the dryer is sufficient for drying purpose. So, the developed food dryer can be used for drying the foods as per requirement.

Analysis of a Mathematical Model. Opportunities for the Training of Food Engineering Students

International research has revealed different roles of mathematics in the practices of engineers and some implications of mathematics teaching for engineering students. Modeling and mathematical models have proven to be valuable tools for their professional work and for their teaching process. This study identifies opportunities offered by a process of analysis of a mathematical model in the training of engineers. For this analysis, an interpretation of mathematical models as an object–user–representation triad was used; mathematical models were also considered a pedagogical approach to mathematics teaching. Based on this approach, a qualitative study was developed. A teaching experiment was designed, in which, through a set of tasks, the analysis of a model describing the percentage of moisture removed in a radial airflow food dryer is considered. Results show that students evidenced a comprehension of the model function as a covariation relationship and implemented strategies for understanding it through the graphs in the model. The situated character of students’ reasoning and their experience with professional practices of engineers are also highlighted.

Effect of Boosting Solar Radiation Intensity on Thermal and Hydraulic Performance and Characteristics of Forced Circulation Food Dryer Provided with Roughened Solar Air Heater

This paper focus on effects of boosting solar intensity on the thermal performance of solar food dryer coupled with roughened solar heater. Boosting of solar intensity increases the temperature of air entering into the food dryer without changing the specific humidity. The methods which have been used to increase the intensity of incidence radiation on the collector of food dryer are plane mirrors with tracking, parabolic reflectors and compound parabolic concentrator. It has been observed experimentally that boosting intensity improves performance characteristics of solar air heater and food dryer. It increases collector efficiency, dryer efficiency, loss of moisture content and diminishes the moisture content in the product at any time.