Volume 21, Issue 5 (9-2019)
Abstract
In this work, performance of a newly designed hybrid dryer was investigated. Drying was done with the support of solar energy to microwave conveyor dryer. By using collector, which was designed with semisphere shape for having high efficiency from solar energy, hot air was produced and moved through the tunnel with velocity of 3 m s-1 and by using 0.7, 1 and 1.4 kW microwave support, drying behavior of 5, 10, and 15 mm zucchini slices were examined. At the end of drying process, drying time, color changes of dried products, energy consumption, collector efficiency, and modelling of drying were determined. Considering the time required for drying the zucchini slices until reaching 10±1% (wb) moisture content and electrical energy consumption values, the most suitable results were obtained from 1 kW microwave power, air velocity of 0.245 m min-1, and 5 mm zucchini slice thickness, corresponding to total energy of 1.143 kWh. The collector efficiency was calculated as 24.3%, under the environmental conditions of our study.
Volume 24, Issue 4 (7-2022)
Abstract
Agricultural production is very important in terms of both energy production and consumption. The main purpose of this study was to calculate the energy values, productivity, and energy efficiency of inputs used in sunflower production in Konya. The sample volume was calculated as 51 by using the Neyman Method of the Stratified Random Sampling Method. In the energy balance analysis of enterprises, the energy equations of all outputs and inputs used in sunflower production were acquired by multiplying with conversion coefficients. Energy output and input equations were calculated for unit sunflower production (MJ kg-1). In conclusion, it was ascertained that 25.26% of the total energy input per hectare comprised direct energy and 74.74% consisted of indirect energy. Energy use efficiency in the research area was 4.94, while the specific energy value was 5.06 MJ kg-1. In other words, 5.06 MJ kg-1 of energy was consumed for 1 kg of sunflower production. The price of 1 kg of sunflower is USD 0.60. The average Technical Efficiency (TE) of the enterprises in the research area was 0.874, and 29.41% of the enterprises producing sunflowers were efficient in energy use per production, whereas 70.58% were less efficient enterprises. Saving energy in sunflower production will have a positive economic impact on the business.
Volume 25, Issue 5 (9-2023)
Abstract
Nowadays, there is considerable interest in plants such as hawthorn that have a rich source of secondary metabolites (volatile and phenolic compounds) in their leaves, with beneficial effects on health. This study investigated the Volatile Compounds (VCs), total phenolic content, and antioxidant activities of Sultan hawthorn leaves collected at three different times based on fruit maturity stages (immature, mature, and over-mature). Our main goal was to determine whether the volatile profile, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity would change depending on the leaf collection time. A total of 78 VCs were identified in the leaves, 11 of which were for the first time. With the progress in fruit maturity, the levels of most VCs varied, the phenolic content and antioxidant activity increased, and acidity decreased. Benzaldehyde and α-farnesene were the principal VCs accounting for 61% of total VCs identified in leaf at the overmature stage. The principal component analysis successfully separated volatile compounds in hawthorn leaves along the fruit maturity stages. For the first time, the present study provided a general overview of the secondary metabolites in leaves from Sultan hawthorn cultivar along fruit maturity stages. The hawthorn leaf collected at the overmature fruit stage proved to have high potential in secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity.
