Fecha de publicación: -- Fuente: PubMed "medicinal and aromatic plants" Food Chem. 2026 Nov 7;533(Pt 1):152002. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.152002. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLemongrass, drying sensitively, is widely used in food and pharmaceuticals. Advancements in drying technology improve product quality and reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceutical processes. This study evaluated a novel Smart Infrared-Hot Air Rotary Drum Dryer (SIRHRDD) for lemongrass processing, focusing on energy efficiency, essential oil quality, and bioactivity. Operating across modes (IR, Heater, and Hybrid) at 30, 40, and 50 °C, the smart-controlled system achieved up to 71.3% energy savings. IR at 30 °C minimized carbon emissions, while Hybrid at 40 °C maximized oil yield. Notably, IR at 50 °C optimized key bioactives: Neral (38.35%) and Geranial (48.13%). Preliminary biological assays indicated promising modulatory potential against human skin carcinoma cells (A-431). Molecular docking simulation showed that Geranial and Neral have favorable theoretical binding affinities for EGFR and STAT3 proteins, comparable to standard drugs. These findings demonstrate that SIRHRDD is a sustainable, high-efficiency technology for producing therapeutic-grade essential oils, offering a scalable solution for the medicinal industry.PMID:43000009 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.152002