Implementation of an Internet of Things-based monitoring system to evaluate solar dryer performance on mullet fish

Solar drying is a widely used method for food preservation, offering a flexible and environmentally friendly approach. However, traditional open sun drying methods are inefficient and susceptible to losses and contamination. To address these limitations, a solar dryer with an Internet of Things (IoT)-based weight monitoring system was developed for drying mullet fish. The solar dryer was constructed using polycarbonate material and divided into two sections: a preparation section and a drying section. An IoTbased weighing system using load cells and an Arduino MKR 1010 board was implemented to monitor the weight reduction of the fish during the drying process. The performance of the solar dryer was evaluated based on weight reduction, temperature, relative humidity, moisture removal rate, and heat transfer. The results showed that the solar dryer achieved higher moisture removal rates (6.75 g/h) and total moisture loss (21.6%) compared to open sun drying which were 5.59 g/h and 17.9%, respectively. The weight reduction percentage and moisture removal rate varied depending on the day and relative humidity inside the solar dryer. The developed solar dryer with the IoT-based weight monitoring system provides real-time feedback to workers, improves drying efficiency, and ensures consistent product quality. It offers a promising solution for enhancing food preservation and reducing post-harvest losses in Malaysia and other regions with abundant solar energy.