Drying Kinetics and Characteristics of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma under Hot Air Thin-Layer Drying at Different Temperatures

The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the kinetics of Acori tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR) and to investigate how hot air drying at different temperatures affected the surface texture and sensory quality of the ATR. The results were best simulated by the Cubic model, which exhibits higher fitting accuracy (R²=0.978-0.999), lower error metrics (χ², SSE, and RMSE), and superior fitting performance across different temperature conditions with minimal variation in error indicators, demonstrating the Cubic model is the optimal choice for characterizing the drying kinetics of ATR. and through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Heracles NEO ultra-fast gas chromatography analysis, significant alterations in surface microstructure and volatile components were observed. Samples of ATR dried at different temperatures were detected using Heracles NEO ultrafast gas-phase electron nose, and a total of 11 odor components were identified. Overall, combined with the apparent properties of scanning electron microscopy and the color results of the colorimeter, thin-layer hot air drying at 65 ℃ can significantly enhance the final quality of ATR while preserving the flavor and color properties and providing optimum medicinal characteristics. This research is pioneering in its systematic evaluation of the effects of drying temperatures on the surface texture, microstructure, and volatile components of ATR, assessing the impact of drying temperature on its quality, thereby providing critical insights for optimizing industrial drying processes.