Solar Dehydration of Mangoes as an Alternative for System Sustainability, Food and Nutritional Security, and Energy Transition

Food losses in developing countries occur predominantly during harvest and post-harvest stages due to inadequate infrastructure for processing agricultural produce into value-added products with an extended shelf life. Dehydration represents an effective method for preserving and enhancing the value of fruits and vegetables; however, conventional techniques entail significant energy expenditure, necessitating research into more sustainable and efficient processes. Solar dehydration emerges as a particularly suitable method due to its ability to utilize renewable energy resources, despite persistent technical constraints limiting its widespread implementation. This study presents the design, construction, and performance evaluation of a novel solar dryer incorporating both a drying chamber and an integrated photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic component powers a mechanical system that facilitates the removal of exhaust air, the introduction of fresh air, and homogeneous air circulation through the induction of turbulent flow patterns within the chamber. The results demonstrate that the optimal drying efficiency in solar dehydration systems is primarily contingent upon effective air homogenization and the systematic removal of moisture-laden air. The findings suggest that optimized solar dehydration technology can be considered as a technically viable and economically beneficial approach to mitigating post-harvest losses while simultaneously enhancing agricultural economic sustainability in developing regions.