Coffee is a critical agricultural commodity to be used to produce a premium beverage to serve people worldwide. Coffee microbiome turned to be an essential tool to improve the bean quality through the natural fermentation. Therefore, understanding the microbial diversities could create the final product's better quality. This study investigated the natural microbial consortium during the wet process fermentation of coffee onsite in Thailand to characterize the microorganisms involved in correlation toward the biochemical characteristics and metabolic attributes. Roasting is another important step in developing the complex flavor/ aroma that make coffee to be enjoyable. During the roasting process, the beans undergo many complex and alternatively change in the physicochemical properties from the gained substances in the fermentation process. The changing in the formation of the substances responsible for the sensory qualities, physicochemical/ aroma attributes as well as the health benefits of the final product. Using the starter culture could also develop the distinguished characteristics of coffee (Research collaboration with Van Hart company)
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คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์
Freshwater scarcity is a global crisis due to limited accessible freshwater resources and rising demand. Seawater desalination is a key solution but is energy-intensive and reliant on fossil fuels, leading to high costs and environmental impacts. This study aims to investigate the use of solar thermal energy from an evacuated tube collector for freshwater production via evaporation and condensation. The focus is on analyzing system efficiency by comparing freshwater yield with energy input. The findings may contribute to the development of sustainable desalination technologies suitable for freshwater-scarce regions.
คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์
This study was conducted to develop a prototype cooling cover for transporting raw milk, aiming to provide a solution for maintaining the quality of raw milk during transportation to milk collection centers. The cooling cover is made using Phase Change Material (PCM), produced from water mixed with a gelling agent, in an amount of 5.6 kg, attached around an aluminum milk tank (with a capacity of 25 L). The cover is then covered with a UV-reflective fabric in two types: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The temperature reduction performance of both types of covers was evaluated by measuring water temperatures at various points along the radial and vertical directions of the milk tank at six points, using type-T thermocouples, under three environmental conditions: a constant temperature of 25 °C, 35 °C, and outdoor ambient temperature (average temperature 35.5 °C) for a minimum duration of 180 min. The experimental results revealed that at 120 min., the water in the tank covered with PCM-PVC and PCM-HDPE covers had temperatures lower than the ambient temperature by 12.6 °C and 12.9 °C, respectively, under a constant ambient temperature of 25 °C, and under a constant ambient temperature of 35 °C lower by 16.7 °C and 16.4 °C, respectively, and outdoor conditions. Since the temperature reduction performance of PCM-PVC and PCM-HDPE covers showed no significant difference, the performance of microbial quality preservation of raw milk was assessed only with PCM-PVC cover in comparison to a non-covered case (control), by measuring coliform and Escherichia coli counts using compact dry plates. Results indicated that after 120 min., milk in the tank covered with PCM-PVC had an average coliform count of 1.6 × 10^4 CFU/ml and E. coli count of 2 × 10^3 CFU/ml, which was lower than the non-covered control with an average coliform count of 1.5 × 10^4 CFU/ml and E. coli count of 1.1 × 10^4 CFU/ml. This study concludes that the temperature reduction achieved by the cooling cover can help inhibit coliform growth to levels below raw milk quality standards, demonstrating the potential of the cooling cover in maintaining the quality and safety of raw milk during transport, ultimately contributing to an improved quality of life for Thai dairy farmers.
คณะสถาปัตยกรรม ศิลปะและการออกแบบ
The thesis artwork titled “The Red Mist” presents a narrative adapted from a short story of the same name by Assistant Professor Chatnarong Wisutkul in 2003. The story is set in a future world where people's greed and selfishness have led to a war, forcing them to rely on "breathing machines" to survive in the "red toxic mist." Phakin, a 15-year-old boy, embarks on a journey with a group of refugees. As they pass through abandoned cities, they encounter a boy without a breathing machine who has recently lost his father. Phakin decides to help him, despite objections from others. The boy tries to end his life by shutting off his breathing machine, and when Phakin intervenes to save him, he collapses from inhaling the toxic air. Witnessing Phakin's selfless act, the others are moved and join forces to save both of them. Phakin demonstrates that in difficult times, humans must cooperate and help each other rather than being divided and selfish.