Toward intelligent food drying: Integrating artificial intelligence into drying systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its data-driven counterpart, machine learning (ML), are rapidly evolving disciplines with increasing applications in modeling, simulation, control, and optimization within the drying industry. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of progress made in ML from shallow to deep learning and its implications for food drying. Theoretical foundations, advantages, and limitations of various ML approaches employed in this domain are explored. Additionally, advancements in ML models, particularly those enhanced by optimization algorithms, are reviewed. The review underscores the role of intelligent configuration of ML models, which affects their accuracy and ability to solve problems of high energy consumption, nutrient degradation, and uneven drying. Drawing upon research achievements, integrating of AI models with real-time measuring methods is discussed, enabling dynamic determination of optimal drying conditions and parameter adjustments. This integration facilitates automated decision-making, reducing human errors and enhancing operational efficiency in food drying. Moreover, AI models demonstrate proficiency in predicting drying times and analyzing energy usage patterns, thereby enabling optimization to minimize resource consumption while preserving product quality. Finally, this paper identifies current obstacles in technology development and proposes novel research avenues for sustainable drying technologies.