SUNSAVE-Agri (SSA) Solar Solutions for Nutrient Saving and Value Enhancement in Tropical Agriculture
- Beschreibung
Postharvest losses continue to pose a significant challenge in tropical agriculture, particularly for perishable commodities such as fruits and tubers. High moisture content, combined with elevated temperatures and humidity, accelerates microbial activity and spoilage, resulting in substantial quantitative and qualitative losses. Crops such as mango, banana, cassava, and taro are especially vulnerable, limiting their shelf life and reducing their market value. Traditional preservation methods, particularly open sun drying, remain widely practiced due to their low cost and simplicity; however, they often lead to inconsistent drying, contamination, nutrient degradation, and dependency on unpredictable weather conditions.
In this context, the SUNSAVE-Agri (SSA) project—Solar Solutions for Nutrient Saving and Value Enhancement in Tropical Agriculture—aims to explore sustainable and efficient solar-based drying technologies to address these challenges. Solar drying offers a promising alternative by utilizing abundant renewable energy in tropical regions while providing improved control over drying conditions. Compared to conventional methods, advanced solar dryers such as indirect and hybrid systems enhance drying efficiency, ensure better hygiene, and significantly improve the retention of essential nutrients.
The concept of SUNSAVE-Agri emphasizes not only technological innovation but also the preservation of nutritional quality and the enhancement of product value. By improving drying practices, farmers can produce higher-quality dried products with extended shelf life, enabling access to broader markets and increasing income opportunities. This is particularly important for smallholder farmers, who are disproportionately affected by postharvest losses and limited access to preservation technologies.
Therefore, this study focuses on reviewing existing solar drying systems, evaluating their effectiveness in nutrient retention and value addition, and assessing their suitability for tropical agricultural conditions. It also considers economic feasibility and scalability, aiming to support the development of practical, affordable, and sustainable solutions for rural farming communities.
- Beschreibung des interdisziplinären Teils des Projekts
- In this project, the disciplines of agricultural science, agricultural engineering, food technology, nutritional science, food material science, and food chemistry are combined
- Projektzeitraum
- Sommersemester 2026
- Bewerbungszeitraum
- 07. bis 20.04.2026
- Durchführung
- semesterbegleitend
- Details zu Projektzeitraum und Durchführung
The project can be carried out during the semester or during the lecture-free period by arrangement.
Depending on the number of participants, individual topics can be worked on separately and then combined in teamwork.
The details of the project can be discussed further to focus on the interests of the Humboldt Reloaded Project participants
- Studienfach
- offen für alle Studienfächer
- Betreuende
- Dr. Fetriyuna Fetriyuna
- Institut
- Institut für Agrartechnik (440) (Food Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Food Science and Nutrition)
- Sprache
- englisch
- Teilnehmendenanzahl
- min. 3, max. 3
- Arbeitsaufwand
-
ca. 120 Stunden pro Teilnehmende:r
| 4
ECTS-Punkte
Arbeitsaufwand (Stunden und ggf. ECTS) sind ungefähre Angaben. Die tatsächlich vergebenen ECTS-Punkte ergeben sich aus der tatsächlich geleisteten Arbeit.
- Für dieses Projekt ist kein Motivationsschreiben des Studierenden erforderlich
- Projektart
- theoretisch/nicht experimentell
- Lernziele
-
Die Teilnehmende lernen in diesem Projekt:
Joining this literature review helps students build research skills (systematic searching, critical analysis, data extraction), technical abilities (working with drying parameters, nutrient retention, and basic meta-analysis), and professional experience (teamwork, scientific writing, and presenting findings). It deepens their understanding of food processing and prepares them for future research, internships, or careers in food technology and agro-industry.
- Anmerkungen für Studierende
The scope of work can be adjusted before the project starts, according to the number of participants and depending on preferences and data generated from the scientific database
- Schlagworte
- Solar drying, tropical agriculture, nutritional retention, post-harvest, hybrid solar dryers, smallholder farmers