In raising crickets for meat consumption, the growth rate and growth period of crickets are important data used to identify the number of crickets per breeding area at each age. Therefore, the researcher has an idea to create a system for monitoring the growth rate of crickets in a closed system using an infrared camera combined with computer image processing to study the growth and identify the growth period of crickets at each age in order to obtain knowledge that can be disseminated to farmers to improve the breeding process for maximum efficiency.
ปัจจุบันจิ้งหรีดถือได้ว่าเป็นสัตว์เศรษฐกิจชนิดใหม่ของประเทศไทยซึ่งทางภาครัฐโดยเฉพาะกรมปศุสัตว์ได้เริ่มมีการส่งเสริมให้ภาคการเกษตรได้เพาะเลี้ยงจิ้งหรีดเพื่อการบริโภคสำหรับการส่งออก และเป็นการตอบรับกับเทรนด์อุตสาหกรรมอาหารใหม่ (Novel food) ตามแนวทางขององค์การอาหาร และเกษตรแห่งสหประชาชาติ (FAO : Food and Agriculture Organization) ซึ่งคาดการณ์เอาไว้ว่าจำนวนประชากรโลกจะเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างต่อเนื่องทำให้ความต้องการแหล่งโปรตีนมีมากขึ้นตามไปด้วย คณะผู้วิจัยจึงมีแนวความคิดที่จะหาสร้างระบบเลี้ยงจิ้งหรีดที่มีประสิทธิภาพ
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.
คณะเทคโนโลยีการเกษตร
In the present day, interest in health and the consumption of chemical-free food has been steadily increasing, particularly in homegrown produce such as Phoenix oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus pulmonarius), which are highly nutritious and suitable for weight control. However, small-scale mushroom cultivation often faces challenges related to unsuitable environmental conditions, such as unstable temperature and humidity, which affect the growth and quality of the mushrooms. The development of an automatic temperature and humidity control system plays a crucial role in addressing these issues by utilizing sensor technology to monitor and adjust environmental conditions with precision. This helps enhance production efficiency, reduce human errors in manual control, and promote safe food production at the household level. Additionally, it helps lower production costs and supports the concept of sustainable living. The adoption of this technology is considered an important innovation in improving the quality of mushroom cultivation and increasing sustainability in food production.
คณะเทคโนโลยีการเกษตร
Soil is home to a diverse array of living organisms that interact within a complex food web, facilitating energy and nutrient cycling essential for sustaining life above ground. Among these organisms, soil microbes play a crucial role in supporting plant growth. Beneficial microorganisms enhance nutrient availability, improve soil structure by increasing porosity, and strengthen plant resistance to diseases. Conversely, harmful microorganisms, such as plant pathogens, can hinder plant growth and reduce crop yields when present in high concentrations. Neutral microorganisms, which naturally inhabit the soil, contribute to the soil ecosystem without directly impacting plants. A single teaspoon of soil contains over a billion microorganisms, yet only about 1% of them can be cultured in laboratory conditions. This highlights soil as one of the richest reservoirs of microbial diversity on Earth.