Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds

George Onyango Orido; Erick Kiplangat Ronoh; Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang; Benson Baari Gathitu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11

| Peer-Reviewed

Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds

George Onyango Orido, Erick Kiplangat Ronoh, Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang, Benson Baari Gathitu

Published in Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering (Volume 7, Issue 2)

Received: 27 June 2023 Accepted: 12 July 2023 Published: 27 July 2023

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

In this study, three distinct and unique modes of greenhouse drying are introduced: solar, solar-exhaust gas, and exhaust gas modes of drying. The effect of drying black nightshade seeds in the three modes was studied, using germinability as a measure of quality. In solar mode, seeds were dried from a moisture content of 89.34% (db) to 7.13% (db) with the greenhouse dryer room air temperature range of 14.82-58.46°C and relative humidity of 9.40-88.03%. In solar-exhaust gas mode drying was performed from 92.57% (db) to 6.07% (db) within a temperature range of 34.49-61.97°C and relative humidity of 7.10-39.27%. In exhaust gas mode black nightshade seeds were dried from an initial moisture content of 88.84% (db) to a final one of 9.42% (db) when the greenhouse dryer room air temperature ranged from 25.75 to 30.77°C and relative humidity inside the dryer was between 51.88 and 83.98%. The results show that exhaust gas drying mode had a difference of 12.5% when its mean germination percentage was compared to solar mode of drying. Moreover, a 16.2% difference in means of germination percentage was recorded when solar-exhaust gas mode of drying was compared to exhaust gas mode. The highest mean germination percentage was recorded at 89% for exhaust gas drying mode because black nightshade seeds were subjected to temperatures ranging from 25.75 to 30.77°C. Modified Giner’s model predicted germination changes of black nightshade seeds more accurately than modified Sharp’s model due to the higher coefficient of determination (0.6896 > 0.6853) and lower root mean squared error (6.1554 < 6.4519). The activation energy in the modified Giner’s model was found to be 7.034×10³³ Joule/mole through model fitting to experimental data. In conclusion, it is recommended that the feasibility of exhaust gas energy use in drying be expanded to seeds of other African vegetable crops.

Published in	Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering (Volume 7, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11
Page(s)	44-56
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Black Nightshade Seeds Viability, Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Dryer, Exhaust Gas Energy

References

[1]	El-Maarouf-Bouteau, H. (2022). The Seed and the metabolism regulation. Biology, 11 (2), 168.
[2]	Yi, F., Wang, Z., Baskin, C. C., Baskin, J. M., Ye, R., Sun, H.,... & Huang, Z. (2019). Seed germination responses to seasonal temperature and drought stress are species-specific but not related to seed size in a desert steppe: Implications for effect of climate change on community structure. Ecology and Evolution, 9 (4), 2149-2159.
[3]	Whitehouse, K. J., Hay, F. R., & Lusty, C. (2020). Why seed physiology is important for genebanking. Plants, 9 (5), 584.
[4]	Bakhtavar, M. A., Afzal, I., & Basra, S. M. A. (2019). Moisture adsorption isotherms and quality of seeds stored in conventional packaging materials and hermetic Super Bag. Plos One, 14 (2), e0207569.
[5]	Saipari, E., Goswami, A. M., & Dadlani, M. (1998). Effect of seed drying on germination behaviour in citrus. Scientia Horticulturae, 73 (2-3), 185-190.
[6]	Waqas, M., Korres, N. E., Khan, M. D., Nizami, A. S., Deeba, F., Ali, I., & Hussain, H. (2019). Advances in the concept and methods of seed priming. Priming and pretreatment of seeds and seedlings: Implication in plant stress tolerance and enhancing productivity in crop plants, 11-41.
[7]	Dantas, B. F., Moura, M. S., Pelacani, C. R., Angelotti, F., Taura, T. A., Oliveira, G. M.,... & Seal, C. E. (2020). Rainfall, not soil temperature, will limit the seed germination of dry forest species with climate change. Oecologia, 192 (2), 529-541.
[8]	Travlos, I., Gazoulis, I., Kanatas, P., Tsekoura, A., Zannopoulos, S., & Papastylianou, P. (2020). Key factors affecting weed seeds' germination, weed emergence, and their possible role for the efficacy of false seedbed technique as weed management practice. Frontiers in Agronomy, 2, 1.
[9]	Degwale, A., Tesfa, T., Meseret, B., & Fantaw, S. (2023). Seed extraction methods affect the physiological quality of tomato seed and developing seedlings. International Journal of Vegetable Science, 29 (1), 16-24.
[10]	Jittanit, W., Srzednicki, G., & Driscoll, R. (2009). Germination models for seeds dried in fluidised and spouted bed dryers. Seed Science and Technology, 37 (1), 180-191.
[11]	Krichen, K., Ghorbel, M. A., & Chaieb, M. (2023). Modeling the influence of temperature, salt and osmotic stresses on seed germination and survival capacity of Stipa tenacissima L. Plant Biosystems-An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, (just-accepted), 1-21.
[12]	ElMasry, G., Mandour, N., Ejeez, Y., Demilly, D., Al-Rejaie, S., Verdier, J.,... & Rousseau, D. (2022). Multichannel imaging for monitoring chemical composition and germination capacity of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds during development and maturation. The Crop Journal, 10 (5), 1399-1411.
[13]	Reed, R. C., Bradford, K. J., & Khanday, I. (2022). Seed germination and vigor: ensuring crop sustainability in a changing climate. Heredity, 128 (6), 450-459.
[14]	Orido, G. O., Ronoh, E. K., Ajwang, P. O., & Gathitu, B. B. (2023a). Evaluation of Thin Layer Models for Simulating Drying Kinetics of Black Nightshade Seeds in a Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Dryer. Bioprocess Engineering, 7 (1), 10-31.
[15]	Moreno, Á. H., Aguirre, Á. J., Maqueda, R. H., Jiménez, G. J., & Miño, C. T. (2022). Effect of temperature on the microwave drying process and the viability of amaranth seeds. Biosystems Engineering, 215, 49-66.
[16]	Ma, Z., Huang, H., Huang, Z., Guo, D., Saeed, M., Jiang, C.,... & Wei, S. (2021). Germination response of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) to temperature and the establishment of a thermal time model. Weed Science, 69 (6), 695-703.
[17]	Poovizhi, M., & Sujatha, K. (2020). Improvement in seed germination by priming treatments in Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.). Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 12 (2), 8.
[18]	Khaeim, H., Kende, Z., Jolánkai, M., Kovács, G. P., Gyuricza, C., & Tarnawa, Á. (2022). Impact of temperature and water on seed germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Agronomy, 12 (2), 397.
[19]	Chao, E., Tian, J., Fan, L., & Zhang, T. (2022). Drying methods influence the physicochemical and functional properties of seed-used pumpkin. Food Chemistry, 369, 130937.
[20]	Najib, T., Heydari, M. M., & Meda, V. (2022). Combination of germination and innovative microwave-assisted infrared drying of lentils: effect of physicochemical properties of different varieties on water uptake, germination, and drying kinetics. Applied Food Research, 2 (1), 100040.
[21]	Huang, Y. T., Wu, W., Zou, W. X., Wu, H. P., & Cao, D. D. (2020). Drying temperature affects rice seed vigor via gibberellin, abscisic acid, and antioxidant enzyme metabolism. Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B, 21 (10), 796.
[22]	Covell, S., Ellis, R. H., Roberts, E. H., & Summerfield, R. J. (1986). The influence of temperature on seed germination rate in grain legumes: I. A comparison of chickpea, lentil, soyabean and cowpea at constant temperatures. Journal of Experimental Botany, 37 (5), 705-715.
[23]	Ellis, R. H., Simon, G., & Covell, S. (1987). The influence of temperature on seed germination rate in grain legumes: III. A comparison of five faba bean genotypes at constant temperatures using a new screening method. Journal of Experimental Botany, 38 (6), 1033-1043.
[24]	Aflakpui, G. K., Gregory, P. J., & Froud-Williams, R. J. (1998). Effect of temperature on seed germination rate of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. Crop Protection, 17 (2), 129-133.
[25]	Ismaili, S. E., Maurady, A., Lachkar, M., Britel, M. R., & Bakali, A. H. (2023). Effect of temperature and different pre-treatments on seed germination of Stachys mouretii Batt. & Pit. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 32, 100438.
[26]	Javaid, M. M., Mahmood, A., Alshaya, D. S., AlKahtani, M. D., Waheed, H., Wasaya, A.,... & Fiaz, S. (2022). Influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Scientific Reports, 12 (1), 9522.
[27]	Xie, Y., Lin, Y., Li, X., Yang, H., Han, J., Shang, C.,... & Lu, F. (2022). Peanut drying: Effects of various drying methods on drying kinetic models, physicochemical properties, germination characteristics, and microstructure. Information Processing in Agriculture.
[28]	Coradi, P. C., Maldaner, V., Lutz, É., da Silva Daí, P. V., & Teodoro, P. E. (2020). Influences of drying temperature and storage conditions for preserving the quality of maize postharvest on laboratory and field scales. Scientific reports, 10 (1), 22006.
[29]	Baskin, C. C., Thompson, K., & Baskin, J. M. (2006). Mistakes in germination ecology and how to avoid them. Seed Science Research, 16 (3), 165-168.
[30]	Phartyal, S. S., Thapliyal, R. C., Nayal, J. S., Rawat, M. M. S., & Joshi, G. (2003). The influences of temperatures on seed germination rate in Himalayan elm (Ulmus wallichiana). Seed Science and technology, 31 (1), 83-93.
[31]	Orido, G., Njue, M., & Ngunjiri, G. (2017a). Grain Drying Simulation in a GT-380 Dryer using Energy Recovered from ICE Exhaust. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 10 (6), 01-06.
[32]	De Vitis, M., Hay, F. R., Dickie, J. B., Trivedi, C., Choi, J., & Fiegener, R. (2020). Seed storage: maintaining seed viability and vigor for restoration use. Restoration Ecology, 28, S249-S255.
[33]	Budelsky, R. A., & Galatowitsch, S. M. (1999). Effects of moisture, temperature, and time on seed germination of five wetland Carices: implications for restoration. Restoration ecology, 7 (1), 86-97.
[34]	Harrington, J. F. (1959). Drying, storage, and packaging seed to maintain germination and vigor.
[35]	Orido, G. O., Ronoh, E. K., Ajwang, P. O., & Gathitu, B. B. (2023b). Performance Assessment of Hybrid Recuperative Heat Exchanger for Diesel Engine Generated Exhaust Gas. International Journal of Thermofluids, 100392.
[36]	Orido, G., Ngunjiri, G., & Njue, M. (2017b). Comparison of Thermal Energy Lost through Exhaust Gases at Various Engine Speeds and Torque Loads for Diesel and Biodiesel Fuels. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 14 (3), 08-12.
[37]	Roberts, E. H. (1972). Storage environment and the control of viability. Viability of seeds, 14-58.
[38]	Ellis, R. H., & Roberts, E. H. (1980). Improved equations for the prediction of seed longevity. Annals of botany, 45 (1), 13-30.
[39]	Sharp, J. R. (1982). A review of low temperature drying simulation models. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 27 (3), 169-190.
[40]	Giner, S. A., Lupano, C. E., & Anon, M. C. (1991). A model for estimating loss of wheat seed viability during hot-air drying. Cereal chemistry.
[41]	Thuy, N. X., Choudhary, M. A., & Hampton, J. G. (1999). The effects of high drying temperature and tempering on development of stress cracks and germination of maize seed (Zea mays L.). Seed science and technology, 27 (2), 507-515.
[42]	Schippers, R. (1998). Notes on huckleberry, Solanum scabrum and related black nightshade species. Natural Resource Institute, University of Greenwich. http://www. dfid. gov. uk/r4d/pdf/outputs/R6964a. pdf. Accessed on, 20/11/2021.
[43]	Pukacka, S., & Wójkiewicz, E. (2003). The effect of the temperature of drying on viability and some factors affecting storability of Fagus sylvatica seeds. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 25, 163-169.
[44]	Soares, M. A. B., Jorge, L. M. D. M., & Montanuci, F. D. (2016). Drying kinetics of barley grains and effects on the germination index. Food Science and Technology, 36, 638-645.
[45]	Scott, S. J., Jones, R. A., & Williams, W. (1984). Review of data analysis methods for seed germination 1. Crop science, 24 (6), 1192-1199.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

George Onyango Orido, Erick Kiplangat Ronoh, Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang, Benson Baari Gathitu. (2023). Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds. Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, 7(2), 44-56. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

George Onyango Orido; Erick Kiplangat Ronoh; Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang; Benson Baari Gathitu. Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds. J. Chem. Environ. Biol. Eng. 2023, 7(2), 44-56. doi: 10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

George Onyango Orido, Erick Kiplangat Ronoh, Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang, Benson Baari Gathitu. Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds. J Chem Environ Biol Eng. 2023;7(2):44-56. doi: 10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11,
  author = {George Onyango Orido and Erick Kiplangat Ronoh and Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang and Benson Baari Gathitu},
  title = {Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds},
  journal = {Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering},
  volume = {7},
  number = {2},
  pages = {44-56},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jcebe.20230702.11},
  abstract = {In this study, three distinct and unique modes of greenhouse drying are introduced: solar, solar-exhaust gas, and exhaust gas modes of drying. The effect of drying black nightshade seeds in the three modes was studied, using germinability as a measure of quality. In solar mode, seeds were dried from a moisture content of 89.34% (db) to 7.13% (db) with the greenhouse dryer room air temperature range of 14.82-58.46°C and relative humidity of 9.40-88.03%. In solar-exhaust gas mode drying was performed from 92.57% (db) to 6.07% (db) within a temperature range of 34.49-61.97°C and relative humidity of 7.10-39.27%. In exhaust gas mode black nightshade seeds were dried from an initial moisture content of 88.84% (db) to a final one of 9.42% (db) when the greenhouse dryer room air temperature ranged from 25.75 to 30.77°C and relative humidity inside the dryer was between 51.88 and 83.98%. The results show that exhaust gas drying mode had a difference of 12.5% when its mean germination percentage was compared to solar mode of drying. Moreover, a 16.2% difference in means of germination percentage was recorded when solar-exhaust gas mode of drying was compared to exhaust gas mode. The highest mean germination percentage was recorded at 89% for exhaust gas drying mode because black nightshade seeds were subjected to temperatures ranging from 25.75 to 30.77°C. Modified Giner’s model predicted germination changes of black nightshade seeds more accurately than modified Sharp’s model due to the higher coefficient of determination (0.6896 > 0.6853) and lower root mean squared error (6.1554 33 Joule/mole through model fitting to experimental data. In conclusion, it is recommended that the feasibility of exhaust gas energy use in drying be expanded to seeds of other African vegetable crops.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds
AU  - George Onyango Orido
AU  - Erick Kiplangat Ronoh
AU  - Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang
AU  - Benson Baari Gathitu
Y1  - 2023/07/27
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11
T2  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
JF  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
JO  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
SP  - 44
EP  - 56
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-267X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11
AB  - In this study, three distinct and unique modes of greenhouse drying are introduced: solar, solar-exhaust gas, and exhaust gas modes of drying. The effect of drying black nightshade seeds in the three modes was studied, using germinability as a measure of quality. In solar mode, seeds were dried from a moisture content of 89.34% (db) to 7.13% (db) with the greenhouse dryer room air temperature range of 14.82-58.46°C and relative humidity of 9.40-88.03%. In solar-exhaust gas mode drying was performed from 92.57% (db) to 6.07% (db) within a temperature range of 34.49-61.97°C and relative humidity of 7.10-39.27%. In exhaust gas mode black nightshade seeds were dried from an initial moisture content of 88.84% (db) to a final one of 9.42% (db) when the greenhouse dryer room air temperature ranged from 25.75 to 30.77°C and relative humidity inside the dryer was between 51.88 and 83.98%. The results show that exhaust gas drying mode had a difference of 12.5% when its mean germination percentage was compared to solar mode of drying. Moreover, a 16.2% difference in means of germination percentage was recorded when solar-exhaust gas mode of drying was compared to exhaust gas mode. The highest mean germination percentage was recorded at 89% for exhaust gas drying mode because black nightshade seeds were subjected to temperatures ranging from 25.75 to 30.77°C. Modified Giner’s model predicted germination changes of black nightshade seeds more accurately than modified Sharp’s model due to the higher coefficient of determination (0.6896 > 0.6853) and lower root mean squared error (6.1554 33 Joule/mole through model fitting to experimental data. In conclusion, it is recommended that the feasibility of exhaust gas energy use in drying be expanded to seeds of other African vegetable crops.
VL  - 7
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

George Onyango Orido

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
Erick Kiplangat Ronoh

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
Benson Baari Gathitu

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

George Onyango Orido, Erick Kiplangat Ronoh, Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang, Benson Baari Gathitu. (2023). Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds. Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, 7(2), 44-56. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

George Onyango Orido; Erick Kiplangat Ronoh; Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang; Benson Baari Gathitu. Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds. J. Chem. Environ. Biol. Eng. 2023, 7(2), 44-56. doi: 10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

George Onyango Orido, Erick Kiplangat Ronoh, Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang, Benson Baari Gathitu. Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds. J Chem Environ Biol Eng. 2023;7(2):44-56. doi: 10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11,
  author = {George Onyango Orido and Erick Kiplangat Ronoh and Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang and Benson Baari Gathitu},
  title = {Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds},
  journal = {Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering},
  volume = {7},
  number = {2},
  pages = {44-56},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jcebe.20230702.11},
  abstract = {In this study, three distinct and unique modes of greenhouse drying are introduced: solar, solar-exhaust gas, and exhaust gas modes of drying. The effect of drying black nightshade seeds in the three modes was studied, using germinability as a measure of quality. In solar mode, seeds were dried from a moisture content of 89.34% (db) to 7.13% (db) with the greenhouse dryer room air temperature range of 14.82-58.46°C and relative humidity of 9.40-88.03%. In solar-exhaust gas mode drying was performed from 92.57% (db) to 6.07% (db) within a temperature range of 34.49-61.97°C and relative humidity of 7.10-39.27%. In exhaust gas mode black nightshade seeds were dried from an initial moisture content of 88.84% (db) to a final one of 9.42% (db) when the greenhouse dryer room air temperature ranged from 25.75 to 30.77°C and relative humidity inside the dryer was between 51.88 and 83.98%. The results show that exhaust gas drying mode had a difference of 12.5% when its mean germination percentage was compared to solar mode of drying. Moreover, a 16.2% difference in means of germination percentage was recorded when solar-exhaust gas mode of drying was compared to exhaust gas mode. The highest mean germination percentage was recorded at 89% for exhaust gas drying mode because black nightshade seeds were subjected to temperatures ranging from 25.75 to 30.77°C. Modified Giner’s model predicted germination changes of black nightshade seeds more accurately than modified Sharp’s model due to the higher coefficient of determination (0.6896 > 0.6853) and lower root mean squared error (6.1554 33 Joule/mole through model fitting to experimental data. In conclusion, it is recommended that the feasibility of exhaust gas energy use in drying be expanded to seeds of other African vegetable crops.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Influence of Solar-Exhaust Gas Greenhouse Drying Modes on Viability of Black Nightshade Seeds
AU  - George Onyango Orido
AU  - Erick Kiplangat Ronoh
AU  - Patrick Ochuodho Ajwang
AU  - Benson Baari Gathitu
Y1  - 2023/07/27
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11
T2  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
JF  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
JO  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
SP  - 44
EP  - 56
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-267X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20230702.11
AB  - In this study, three distinct and unique modes of greenhouse drying are introduced: solar, solar-exhaust gas, and exhaust gas modes of drying. The effect of drying black nightshade seeds in the three modes was studied, using germinability as a measure of quality. In solar mode, seeds were dried from a moisture content of 89.34% (db) to 7.13% (db) with the greenhouse dryer room air temperature range of 14.82-58.46°C and relative humidity of 9.40-88.03%. In solar-exhaust gas mode drying was performed from 92.57% (db) to 6.07% (db) within a temperature range of 34.49-61.97°C and relative humidity of 7.10-39.27%. In exhaust gas mode black nightshade seeds were dried from an initial moisture content of 88.84% (db) to a final one of 9.42% (db) when the greenhouse dryer room air temperature ranged from 25.75 to 30.77°C and relative humidity inside the dryer was between 51.88 and 83.98%. The results show that exhaust gas drying mode had a difference of 12.5% when its mean germination percentage was compared to solar mode of drying. Moreover, a 16.2% difference in means of germination percentage was recorded when solar-exhaust gas mode of drying was compared to exhaust gas mode. The highest mean germination percentage was recorded at 89% for exhaust gas drying mode because black nightshade seeds were subjected to temperatures ranging from 25.75 to 30.77°C. Modified Giner’s model predicted germination changes of black nightshade seeds more accurately than modified Sharp’s model due to the higher coefficient of determination (0.6896 > 0.6853) and lower root mean squared error (6.1554 33 Joule/mole through model fitting to experimental data. In conclusion, it is recommended that the feasibility of exhaust gas energy use in drying be expanded to seeds of other African vegetable crops.
VL  - 7
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download