Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray Dryer
Climate change requires a transition to crops that need less water and are more tolerant of high temperatures. In this regard, the adaptation of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> to the Spanish Mediterranean Basin offers the sustainable alternative production of a plant with a high nutritional val...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Biology and Life Sciences Forum |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/25/1/6 |
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| author | María Dolores Ortolá José Francisco García-Mares Borja Mocholí María Desamparados Soriano María Luisa Castelló |
| author_facet | María Dolores Ortolá José Francisco García-Mares Borja Mocholí María Desamparados Soriano María Luisa Castelló |
| author_sort | María Dolores Ortolá |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Climate change requires a transition to crops that need less water and are more tolerant of high temperatures. In this regard, the adaptation of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> to the Spanish Mediterranean Basin offers the sustainable alternative production of a plant with a high nutritional value. It might also serve as a substitute crop with significant economic potential in less developed tropical regions in the world. Moreover, to provide the market with a homogeneous product, the stabilization of the leaves is necessary. The lack of control in the traditional form of moringa leaf drying (which only makes use of shade and air) does not guarantee a final homogeneous water content that can extend the crop’s shelf life. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to develop a modular, affordable, and expandable dryer that enables the dehydration of leaves in the same field, lowering production costs in the process. The drying kinetics of leaves from crops of different ages (1 and 4 years) have been fitted to several mathematical models, using the “field dryer” and a semi-industrial tray dryer. In addition, their physicochemical properties were also compared. The outcomes demonstrate the viability of the field dryer’s design. The drying kinetics of both dryers were more effectively adapted to the logarithmic model. Due to the variable air conditions in the field, the equilibrium moisture level attained was somewhat greater using the field dryer than using the tray dryer, but the product color and antioxidant and protein contents were similar. Finally, younger plants produced leaves with greater antioxidant capacities and a lower final water content. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:57:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b99b814d8ff34457ac749563ed0d992d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-9976 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:57:03Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology and Life Sciences Forum |
| spelling | doaj.art-b99b814d8ff34457ac749563ed0d992d2023-12-22T13:56:38ZengMDPI AGBiology and Life Sciences Forum2673-99762023-09-01251610.3390/blsf2023025006Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray DryerMaría Dolores Ortolá0José Francisco García-Mares1Borja Mocholí2María Desamparados Soriano3María Luisa Castelló4Food Engineering Research Institute (FoodUPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Hydraulic Engineering and Environment, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainFood Engineering Research Institute (FoodUPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Plant Production, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, SpainFood Engineering Research Institute (FoodUPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainClimate change requires a transition to crops that need less water and are more tolerant of high temperatures. In this regard, the adaptation of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> to the Spanish Mediterranean Basin offers the sustainable alternative production of a plant with a high nutritional value. It might also serve as a substitute crop with significant economic potential in less developed tropical regions in the world. Moreover, to provide the market with a homogeneous product, the stabilization of the leaves is necessary. The lack of control in the traditional form of moringa leaf drying (which only makes use of shade and air) does not guarantee a final homogeneous water content that can extend the crop’s shelf life. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to develop a modular, affordable, and expandable dryer that enables the dehydration of leaves in the same field, lowering production costs in the process. The drying kinetics of leaves from crops of different ages (1 and 4 years) have been fitted to several mathematical models, using the “field dryer” and a semi-industrial tray dryer. In addition, their physicochemical properties were also compared. The outcomes demonstrate the viability of the field dryer’s design. The drying kinetics of both dryers were more effectively adapted to the logarithmic model. Due to the variable air conditions in the field, the equilibrium moisture level attained was somewhat greater using the field dryer than using the tray dryer, but the product color and antioxidant and protein contents were similar. Finally, younger plants produced leaves with greater antioxidant capacities and a lower final water content.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/25/1/6colordryingmoringaleavesmodelingprotein |
| spellingShingle | María Dolores Ortolá José Francisco García-Mares Borja Mocholí María Desamparados Soriano María Luisa Castelló Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray Dryer Biology and Life Sciences Forum color drying moringa leaves modeling protein |
| title | Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray Dryer |
| title_full | Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray Dryer |
| title_fullStr | Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray Dryer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray Dryer |
| title_short | Comparison and Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Moringa Leaves Using a Closed Facility in the Field and Using a Convective Tray Dryer |
| title_sort | comparison and modeling of the drying kinetics of moringa leaves using a closed facility in the field and using a convective tray dryer |
| topic | color drying moringa leaves modeling protein |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/25/1/6 |
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