Development of microcontroller based versatile device for the process monitoring and control applications in food processing industries
摘要
Paneer's shelf life is significantly impacted by storage conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. Traditional storage methods like submersion in water or icing often lead to uneven temperature and moisture distribution within the product, affecting quality and consumer acceptance. This research focuses on developing a low-cost, microcontroller-based device to precisely monitor and control storage conditions. Utilising open-source hardware and software (Arduino), the device incorporates a data acquisition system for continuous monitoring of temperature and humidity. This system enables precise control of storage conditions, allowing for the determination of optimal storage parameters (7 ± 1.7 °C and 37 ± 1.7%RH) for nine days of safe paneer storage. The successful continuous operation of the system for thirteen days demonstrates its reliability for various applications, including moisture sorption isotherms, dehydration kinetics, and other storage stability studies.