Sustainable food drying technologies based on renewable energy sources
Hang Qu1,2, M H Masud3,4, Majedul Islam1
1Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
|April 27, 2021
Summary
Food waste is a major global issue, especially in developing nations. This review explores sustainable, renewable energy-based food drying technologies to reduce waste and improve food preservation quality.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Engineering
- Food Science
- Renewable Energy Systems
Background:
- Food supply chain waste accounts for 30-40% of production, exacerbating global hunger and environmental issues.
- Developing countries face significant food waste due to a lack of affordable preservation methods, with traditional sun drying being prevalent but inefficient and unhygienic.
- High energy consumption in conventional drying necessitates sustainable alternatives to reduce environmental and social impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive review of sustainable food drying technologies utilizing renewable energy sources.
- To emphasize the applicability and benefits of these technologies in developing countries.
- To discuss the impact of resource distribution and government incentives on the adoption of renewable energy for sustainable drying.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on sustainable food drying technologies.
- Analysis of integrated drying systems combining renewable energy sources with advanced technologies.
- Discussion of economic and quality-related aspects of different drying methods.
Main Results:
- Integration of thermal energy storage with heat pumps enhances drying system efficiency and food quality.
- Advanced systems like solar-microwave and heat pump-microwave drying offer cost and quality advantages.
- Resource availability and governmental support are crucial factors for implementing sustainable drying solutions.
Conclusions:
- Sustainable food drying technologies, particularly those integrating renewable energy, are vital for reducing food waste and improving preservation in developing countries.
- Combined technologies like heat pumps with thermal storage, and solar or heat pump systems with microwave assistance, show significant promise for efficiency and quality.
- Policy support and strategic resource distribution are essential for widespread adoption and impact.
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