Work

Impact of Spectral Irradiance Control on Bioactive Compounds and Color Preservation in Solar-Dried Papaya

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The quality effects of spectral irradiance conditions during papaya (Carica papaya L.) drying were investigated using three different dryers: a solar dryer with dynamic irradiance control (SDIC), a cylindrical solar dryer (CSD), and a solar simulator dryer (SSD). This study builds upon previous PDLC film applications in solar drying by specifically examining its impact on phytochemical preservation and color degradation, addressing gaps in spectral-specific effects on food quality parameters. The drying conditions were as follows: a temperature of 50 °C for each method, 700 w/m2 for both SDIC and solar simulator dryers (SSD), and full solar irradiance for the cylindrical solar dryer (CSD). The cylindrical solar dryer exhibited 210 min of drying time due to higher solar irradiance than SDIC (300 min), while SSD lasted 180 min. Drying rates were highest for CSD (0.056 g H2O/g d.m. min−1), followed by SDIC (0.027 g H2O/g d.m. min−1). Color analysis revealed that CSD resulted in the most significant color degradation, followed by SSD and SDIC. This was attributed to the varying spectral composition of radiation in each method. The CSD, with a full solar spectrum, including higher UV and visible radiation, induced more pronounced color changes than SDIC, which received lower intensity radiation in these ranges. Chemical analyses showed that SSD samples had the highest antioxidant activity (1432.91 µmol TE/g dw by ABTS) and phenolic content (58.92 mg GAE/100 g), suggesting simulated conditions may better preserve certain phytochemicals. SDIC maintained better carotenoid-related color parameters while showing intermediate antioxidant levels (1084.09 µmol TE/g dw). These results demonstrate that irradiance control significantly impacts drying efficiency and quality parameters.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr13072311

Authors: Diana Paola García-Moreira, Erick César López-Vidaña, Ivan Moreno, Lucía Delgadillo-Ruiz

Institutions: Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas "Francisco García Salinas", Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación

Language: English

Topic: Food Drying and Modeling

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896