Automated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leaves

Abstract Vacuum drying of sage leaves is important for preserving their essential oils, flavor, and medicinal properties by reducing oxidation and thermal degradation, but previous research has not investigated its impact on drying speed, thermodynamic properties, mathematical modeling, or economic...

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Main Authors: Nabil Eldesokey Mansour, Khaled A. Metwally, Aml Abubakr Tantawy, Ahmed Elbeltagi, Ali Salem, Ahmed Z. Dewidar, Abdelaziz M. Okasha, Moustapha Eid Moustapha, Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03367-z
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author Nabil Eldesokey Mansour
Khaled A. Metwally
Aml Abubakr Tantawy
Ahmed Elbeltagi
Ali Salem
Ahmed Z. Dewidar
Abdelaziz M. Okasha
Moustapha Eid Moustapha
Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel
author_facet Nabil Eldesokey Mansour
Khaled A. Metwally
Aml Abubakr Tantawy
Ahmed Elbeltagi
Ali Salem
Ahmed Z. Dewidar
Abdelaziz M. Okasha
Moustapha Eid Moustapha
Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel
author_sort Nabil Eldesokey Mansour
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Vacuum drying of sage leaves is important for preserving their essential oils, flavor, and medicinal properties by reducing oxidation and thermal degradation, but previous research has not investigated its impact on drying speed, thermodynamic properties, mathematical modeling, or economic viability. This study employed an automatic vacuum dryer at temperatures of 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C under different pressure conditions (atmospheric, -5 kPa, and − 10 kPa) with a 1 cm layer thickness. Results showed that increasing temperature and decreasing pressure significantly improved drying efficiency, reducing the process time to just 90 min while achieving a drying rate of 22.34 kg water/kg dry matter/h and an effective moisture diffusivity of 6.716 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s under optimal conditions (60 °C and − 10 kPa). The Page model was identified as the most suitable for describing the thin-layer drying behavior. Thermodynamic analysis revealed activation energy values between 19.4 and 37.7 kJ/mol, with activation enthalpy decreasing at higher temperatures and lower pressures. The negative activation entropy values indicated chemical adsorption or structural modifications during drying. From an economic perspective, the most efficient drying conditions reduced the payback period to less than two months, demonstrating strong commercial potential. These findings highlight the industrial promise of vacuum drying for herb processing, with future research opportunities in process optimization, application to other herbs, and sustainability assessments to further enhance efficiency and economic benefits.
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spelling doaj-art-2d55877295cd4951906c0f68a55c162c2025-08-20T02:03:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115112410.1038/s41598-025-03367-zAutomated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leavesNabil Eldesokey Mansour0Khaled A. Metwally1Aml Abubakr Tantawy2Ahmed Elbeltagi3Ali Salem4Ahmed Z. Dewidar5Abdelaziz M. Okasha6Moustapha Eid Moustapha7Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel8Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour UniversitySoil and Water Sciences Department, Faculty of Technology and Development, Zagazig UniversityFood Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Beni-Suef UniversityAgricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura UniversityCivil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia UniversityPrince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz UniversityAgricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan UniversityAbstract Vacuum drying of sage leaves is important for preserving their essential oils, flavor, and medicinal properties by reducing oxidation and thermal degradation, but previous research has not investigated its impact on drying speed, thermodynamic properties, mathematical modeling, or economic viability. This study employed an automatic vacuum dryer at temperatures of 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C under different pressure conditions (atmospheric, -5 kPa, and − 10 kPa) with a 1 cm layer thickness. Results showed that increasing temperature and decreasing pressure significantly improved drying efficiency, reducing the process time to just 90 min while achieving a drying rate of 22.34 kg water/kg dry matter/h and an effective moisture diffusivity of 6.716 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s under optimal conditions (60 °C and − 10 kPa). The Page model was identified as the most suitable for describing the thin-layer drying behavior. Thermodynamic analysis revealed activation energy values between 19.4 and 37.7 kJ/mol, with activation enthalpy decreasing at higher temperatures and lower pressures. The negative activation entropy values indicated chemical adsorption or structural modifications during drying. From an economic perspective, the most efficient drying conditions reduced the payback period to less than two months, demonstrating strong commercial potential. These findings highlight the industrial promise of vacuum drying for herb processing, with future research opportunities in process optimization, application to other herbs, and sustainability assessments to further enhance efficiency and economic benefits.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03367-zActivation entropyFree energy of GibbsInternet of things (IoT)Medicinal and aromatic plantsThin layer modeling
spellingShingle Nabil Eldesokey Mansour
Khaled A. Metwally
Aml Abubakr Tantawy
Ahmed Elbeltagi
Ali Salem
Ahmed Z. Dewidar
Abdelaziz M. Okasha
Moustapha Eid Moustapha
Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel
Automated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leaves
Scientific Reports
Activation entropy
Free energy of Gibbs
Internet of things (IoT)
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Thin layer modeling
title Automated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leaves
title_full Automated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leaves
title_fullStr Automated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leaves
title_full_unstemmed Automated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leaves
title_short Automated vacuum drying kinetics, thermodynamics, and economic analysis of sage leaves
title_sort automated vacuum drying kinetics thermodynamics and economic analysis of sage leaves
topic Activation entropy
Free energy of Gibbs
Internet of things (IoT)
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Thin layer modeling
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03367-z
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