A Novel Electrohydrodynamic‐Hot Air Hybrid Drying Method for Aloe vera : Modeling, Optimization, and Quality Preservation

Drying is a common preservation method for medicinal plants, but high temperatures can degrade their nutritional and sensory qualities. This study developed a novel drying system combining electrohydrodynamic (EH) and hot air methods to improve the quality and efficiency of Aloe vera gel drying. The system utilized 37 point electrodes spaced 34.6 mm apart to generate corona wind, enhancing moisture removal. Experiments were conducted at three levels of temperature (40, 50, and 60°C), airflow velocity (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m/s), and electric field intensity (10, 15, and 20 kV/cm). Results showed that increasing electric field intensity slightly decreased total phenol content by 2.97% but improved antioxidant activity by 4.62%. Higher temperatures significantly reduced drying time (by 81.5%) and increased total phenol content (by 10.04%). The optimal drying conditions—50°C, 1.2 m/s airflow, and 20 kV/cm electric field—yielded 51.7 mg/g total phenols, 261.9 μg/mL IC 50 , 710 min drying time, and 30780 kJ energy consumption. The combined drying method outperformed hot air drying alone, effectively enhancing product quality while reducing drying time and energy use. This hybrid EH, hot‐air approach shows strong potential for industrial‐scale drying of heat‐sensitive bioresources, offering a sustainable and energy‐efficient alternative for the preservation of plant‐derived compounds.