Science & Technology

Microwave Heating Technology Adding value to local agricultural products : rehydratable dried bitter beans (Sataw)

  • Center of Excellence in Plasma Science and Electromagnetic waves, School of Science Walailak University in cooperation with Mr. Sato Community Enterprise, Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province with the support of the Science and Technology Park, Walailak University and the National Innovation Agency (NIA) led by Assist. Prof. Dr. Mudtorlep Nisoa conduct a research on the methods of extending the life of the dehydrated bitter beans to restore them in green and retains their flavour and scent by using the "Fresh Recovered Dryer", a low temperature air drying system. It helps in the processing to help extend the life of the fresh bitter beans to be stored for up to 6 months and preserve the important characteristics of the better beans. It can preserve the porosity of the bitter beans and provides more evenly distributed samples compared to other drying systems.
  • This feature results in the fastest possible recovery of the dehydrated bitter beans by soaking them in water at room temperature. It takes only 50 minutes and still maintains the shape, color, scent and flavour as the closest to the fresh bitter beans. The results of protein and lipid content analyzes of the recovered bitter beans were also shown that the low temperature air drying system does not cause the loss of nutrients which accumulate in the bitter beans. This is another efficient technology for drying agricultural products. It has very little impact on other components and saves 3 times the energy, solving the problem of oversupply during the season and the shortage of raw materials for cooking in the off-season. This is the inspiration of the idea of storing a fresh dehydrated bitter bean product under the brand "Chomnad", which can add value to local agricultural products that are abundant in the south in the season. However, there is the constant market demanding for bitter beans throughout the year. With the development of low temperature air drying system, it therefore solves the problems of agriculture in a commercial approach which helps to expand the effect of the agricultural sector to the industrial sector even more. It also has a good response to the market. In addition, the value added is 1.6 times more than fresh bitter beans and this also helps create jobs for the community.

 

Inventor:

Assist.Prof.Dr. Mudtorlep Nisoa 

​Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160

Research Fundings

  • National Innovation Agency (NIA)

Awards:

  • รางวัลชนะเลิศอันดับ 1 ของประเทศ ประเภทผลิตภัณฑ์อาหารนวัตกรรมจากงาน MOST’s Innovation OTOP Awards 2017

  • รางวัลรองชนะเลิศอันดับ 2 สาขาผลิตภัณฑ์และกระบวนการนวัตกรรม จากงาน STSP Innovation Awards 2018

  • รางวัลผลงานวิจัยเชิงพาณิชย์ดีเด่นจาก “เครื่องอบแห้งสะตอด้วยอากาศแห้งที่อุณหภูมิต่ำ” ในงานครบรอบ 26 ปี การสถาปนา มหาวิทยาลัยวลัยลักษณ์

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