Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Arina Fatharani
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia
Author-Name: Yuwana Yuwana
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia
Author-Name: Faulina Maissy
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia
Author-Name: Firmansyah Firmansyah
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia
Author-Name: Hilda Maya Sintia Dewi
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Author-Name: Ulfah Anis
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia
Author-Name: Fitri Yuwita
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia
Title: Thin-layer drying kinetics and quality assessment of octopus (Octopus sp.) using mixed and open solar dryers
Abstract: Octopus (Octopus sp.) is highly perishable marine species for which efficient drying is essential to extend shelf life in tropical climates. The anatomical heterogeneity of the octopus complicates consistent drying. This study systematically evaluated the performance of a mixed solar dryer (MSD) and open solar drying (OSD) across distinct anatomical regions (head, mantle, and tentacles), with emphasis on drying kinetics and quality attributes. Five thin-layer models were applied to characterize moisture reduction, and product quality was assessed by measuring browning, protein, fat, and ash content. The MSD achieved a 20% higher temperature and 29% lower humidity, resulting in a 74% increase in drying rate relative to OSD. The Hasibuan and Daud model exhibited the highest predictive accuracy (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.9965; root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.0168; sum of squared errors (SSE) = 0.0058). Significant interaction effects between anatomical region and drying method were observed for browning and ash content (P < 0.05), whereas protein and fat content were primarily influenced by anatomical characteristics. Overall, the MSD produced products with reduced browning and enhanced nutrient retention. These results support the implementation of MSD technology by small-scale processors to improve both drying efficiency and product quality in octopus preservation.
Keywords: anatomical variation, mixed-mode solar dryer, quality parameters, thin-layer modelling, cephalopod, tropical processing
Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering
Number: 47135
Volume: preprint
DOI: 10.17221/199/2025-RAE
File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/199/2025-RAE.html
File-Format: text/html
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Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:preprint:id:199-2025-RAE

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Kanya Kosum
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Title: Harvester service life impact on sugarcane field losses and product contamination
Abstract: Mechanical sugarcane harvesting generates substantial material losses that are associated with the equipment age. This study evaluated the relationship between the harvester service life and the operational efficiency by analysing field losses and product contamination across machines with varying operational histories (1, 14, 16, and 17 years) in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand, using a randomised complete block design. The results indicate that the 17-year-old machines exhibited 54% higher total losses (241.93 kg.ha-1) compared to the newer equipment (156.90 kg.ha-1). The field losses were attributed primarily to base cutting operations (36%) and roller mechanisms (34%), collectively accounting for 70% of the total losses. The contamination analysis revealed sugarcane tops as the predominant impurity source (57% The revenue loss analysis indicates excessive field losses from ageing equipment reducing the farm profitability by 12-18%. The non-linear relationship between the equipment age and performance demonstrates that maintenance practices significantly influence degradation patterns, providing critical insights for optimising mechanical harvesting systems.
Keywords: agricultural machinery, harvesting efficiency, equipment maintenance, sugarcane, mechanical degradation, revenue losses
Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering
Number: 46767
Volume: preprint
DOI: 10.17221/168/2025-RAE
File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/168/2025-RAE.html
File-Format: text/html
X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/rae-000004-6767.txt
Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:preprint:id:168-2025-RAE