Chanat Vipattanaporn

Fine soy protein isolate (SPI) powders exhibit poor handling and reconstitution properties, while excessive liquid loading can destabilize fluidized-bed agglomeration. This study evaluated an outlet-air relative humidity (RH)-triggered binder-diversion strategy during pulsed fluidized-bed agglomeration of SPI. Atomization pressure (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 bar), nominal binder pump setting (3.8, 4.7, and 5.6 mL·min⁻¹), and operating mode (continuous spraying or RH-triggered control at a 70% set point) were investigated. Under continuous spraying, outlet RH showed an overall increase throughout the 30 min process. RH-triggered operation maintained outlet RH near the set point after threshold attainment by reducing the spray duty cycle to 0.67–0.96. This corresponded to 102.6–131.0 mL of sprayed water per run, approximately 4–33% less than continuous spraying at the same nominal pump setting. Compared with continuous spraying, RH-triggered operation produced a lower mean final moisture content in all nine conditions, a higher mean process yield in seven conditions, higher D₅₀ values in all conditions, and a lower mean particle size span in seven conditions. Agglomeration reduced the packing-derived CI and HR and shortened wetting time relative to raw SPI, whereas the effects of RH-triggered operation on flow indices, wetting time, and dispersibility depended on atomization pressure and effective binder delivery. Because the feedback action changed both cumulative binder addition and spray history, the observed product differences represent the performance of the complete RH-triggered control strategy rather than an independent effect of RH stabilization. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of outlet-RH-based adaptive binder delivery during pulsed fluidized-bed agglomeration of SPI.

Magnetic field (MF) priming provides a chemical-free alternative to conventional methods; however, static exposure approaches are often limited by spatial heterogeneity in field–seed interaction caused by fixed seed positioning, undermining both treatment uniformity and reproducibility. To address this, the present study investigated the effects of dynamic MF exposure on the germination and early growth of Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) rice seeds. A novel MF testing apparatus was developed using a 150 mT permanent magnet and a vortex-based air injection system designed to continuously rotate and redistribute seeds, ensuring uniform exposure. Seeds were treated for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min to evaluate effects on vigor, germination, and seedling growth. The results showed that 5 and 10 min exposures significantly enhanced seed vigor (93.00% and 94.67%, respectively) compared to the control (83.33%), with 10 min yielding the highest improvement (p < 0.05, DMRT). Shoot and root growth also increased by 14.21% and 99.59%, respectively. These findings suggest that moderate-duration dynamic MF exposure is an efficient, eco-friendly priming technique for improving seed vigor and early growth. Future research should explore long-term agronomic impacts, economic feasibility, and varietal responses. The apparatus’s scalable design supports integration into industrial seed processing lines, advancing sustainable rice production.

This study aimed to improve the seed quality during the deterioration period of rough rice (Oryza sativa L.), cultivar ‘Khoa Dawk Mali 105’ (KDML 105), using an automatic soaking and germination accelerator unit (ASGA) together with stimulation via infrared radiation treatment (IRT) to stimulate seed quality (germination rate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content). This study used a general full factorial design, and the independent variables were the storage period (10, 11 and 12 months), methods of germinated rough rice preparation (conventional method (CM) and an automatic soaking and germination accelerator unit (ASGA)), and stimulation with IRT. The initial grain moisture content did not exceed 14% (wet basis (wb)). The germination rate of the rough rice by CM and ASGA with stimulation with IRT was significantly higher than non-stimulated rice, by 6.56 and 8.11%, respectively, in each storage period. The GABA contents of the germinated rough rice using CM and ASGA stimulated with IRT were significantly higher than ungerminated rough rice, by 19.52 and 21.24% (10 months), respectively; 16.36 and 23.58% (11 months), respectively; and 69.88 and 67.69% (12 months), respectively.