from 01.01.2005 to 01.01.2020
Donskoy gosudarstvennyy tehnicheskiy universitet
Zernograd, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
Agricultural Research Centre Donskoy (Crop Processing Department, Senior Researcher)
employee from 01.01.2003 to 01.01.2025
Zernograd, Russian Federation
graduate student from 01.01.2023 until now
Zernograd, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
graduate student
UDC 664.8
Review examines the dehydration processes of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) green biomass, driven by the necessity to reduce its initial moisture content (70–80%) to levels 12–15% to prevent nutrient losses. The objective is to summarize and analyze the moisture transfer regularities in alfalfa tissues for the development of energy-efficient drying technologies. The review methodology is based on a systematic analysis of scientific literature (2015–2025) from eLIBRARY, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases following the PRISMA-ScR protocol. The paper discusses the forms of water present in alfalfa: free water (85–90%), physicochemically bound water (10–15%) and chemically bound water, which determine the energy requirements of the dehydration process. The mechanisms of moisture transfer during the physiological (up to 40% moisture) and biochemical (40–15%) stages are analyzed, including intercellular, intracellular, and transmembrane diffusion. Three kinetic drying periods are identified: the constant rate period (free water evaporation) and two falling rate periods (bound water removal). Particular attention is given to the problem of asynchronous drying of leaves and stems, which leads to overdrying of leaves and degradation of nutrients. Addressing this issue requires preliminary mechanical treatment of the stems to equalize drying kinetics, as well as the selection of adaptive drying regimes. The development of mathematical modeling of the drying process is analyzed – from empirical thin-layer models to comprehensive diffusion models of coupled heat and mass transfer adapted for drying equipment. The prospect of integrating artificial intelligence and CFD modeling to optimize drying regimes while preserving leaf fraction quality is highlighted.
alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), green biomass, drying, dehydration, moisture transfer, free moisture, bound moisture, modeling, feed production
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6. A dynamic drying process: Mathematical modeling and energy consumption optimization of alfalfa bales using hot air drying / X. Gao, Ch. Xuan, Zh. Tang, et al. // Renewable Energy. – 2025. – Vol. 246. – EDN JNAHQU. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.122961.
7. Design and analysis of new solar-powered sustainable dryers: Alfalfa crop / M. Koşan, G. Karaca Dolgun, B. Aktekeli, et al. // Journal of Food Process Engineering. – 2023. – Vol. 46. – № 3. – EDN JMCEOB. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/jfpe.14253.
8. Kinetics of alfalfa drying: simultaneous modelling of moisture content and temperature / J. A Siles., P. González-Tello, M. A. Martín, A. Martín // Biosystems Engineering. – 2015. – Vol. 129. – Pp. 185–196. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2014.10.007.
9. A Review of alfalfa drying technology and equipment throughout the whole process / W. Zhang, H. Cen, W. Guo, P. She // Applied Sciences. – 2025. – Vol. 15. – № 22. – EDN VIKRAW. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/app152212268.
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11. Hot air drying, impact of infrared drying, and combined hot air-infrared drying on alfalfa drying quality and performance / X. Sun, Z. Guo, G. Wang, et al. // INMATEH-Agricultural Engineering. – 2023. – Vol. 71. – № 3. – Pp. 441–450. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.35633/inmateh-71-38.
12. Du J., Liu Ch. Experimental study on drying characteristics of alfalfa hay bales using hot air convection // Applied Sciences. – 2025. – Vol. 15. – № 7. – EDN UZXVDX. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/app15073921.
13. Effects of corn hardness and drying temperature on digestibility of energy and nutrients in diets fed to growing pigs / C. D. Espinosa, J. Cabañas-Ojeda, E. O. Oviedo-Rondón, H. H. Stein // Journal of Animal Science. – 2023. – Vol. 101. – EDN PUNZYN. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad124.
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16. Dynamic drying characteristics of alfalfa under solar energy – heat pump combined drying conditions / W. B. Guo, Sh. Cheng, Z. K. Cui, et al. // INMATEH-Agricultural Engineering. – 2024. – Vol. 73. – № 2. – Pp. 569–580. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.35633/inmateh-73-48.
17. Energetika i kinetika processov degidratacii rastitel'nogo syr'ya / O. G. Burdo, S. G Terziev., A. K. Burdo, i dr. // Problemy regional'noy energetiki. – 2022. – № 3 (55). – S. 111–129. – EDN MSHZJJ. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.52254/1857-0070.2022.3-55.09.
18. Ertekin C., Firat M. Z. A comprehensive review of thin-layer drying models used in agricultural products // Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. – 2017. – Vol. 57. – № 4. – Pp. 701–717. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2014.910493.
19. Review of leaf drying: Mechanism and influencing parameters, drying methods, nutrient preservation, and mathematical models / A. K. Babu, G. Kumaresan, V. A. Aroul, R. Velraj // Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. – 2018. – Vol. 90. – Pp. 536–556. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.04.002.
20. Scoping reviews: reinforcing and advancing the methodology and application / M. D. J. Peters, C. Marnie, H. Colquhoun, et al. // Systematic Reviews. – 2021. – Vol. 10. – № 1. – Pp. 1–6. – EDN LKIVHU. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01821-3.
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33. Effects of drying procedures on chemical composition and nutritive value of alfalfa forage / F. Jančík, P. Kubelková, V. Kubát, et al. // South African Journal of Animal Science. – 2017. – Vol. 47. – № 1. – Pp. 96–101. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v47i1.14.
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35. Aerodynamic separation and fractional drying of alfalfa leaves and stems — a review and new concept / E. A. Arinze, G. J. Schoenau, S. Sokhansanj, P. Adapa // Drying Technology. – 2003. – Vol. 21. – № 9. – Pp. 1669–1698. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1081/DRT-120025503.
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