# Influence of Electrohydrodynamics on the Drying Characteristics and Volatile Components of Ginger
## 4 Conclusions  
This article uses electrohydrodynamic drying to control different voltages for drying ginger. It analyzes the drying characteristics, infrared spectra, and volatile components of dried ginger. The results indicate that increasing the voltage can shorten the drying time and improve the drying rate. Among them, the 30 kV experimental group shortened the drying time by 65.51%, increased the drying rate by 4.3 times, increased the rehydration rate by 39.07%, and increased the effective diffusion coefficient of moisture by 47.64%. Meanwhile, the ginger brightness value (L*) of the 30 kV treatment group was the highest. Eight volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were found in ginger. Terpene compounds were the most prevalent chemicals in ginger, and they were responsible for the distinctive odor. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) tests revealed that differences in voltage caused various changes in the volatile components of ginger during electrohydrodynamic drying. According to the literature [50; 51; 52], the energy consumption of electrohydrodynamic drying is relatively low compared to conventional hot air drying. The power (DC or AC) applied during electrohydrodynamic drying, the magnitude of the voltage, the geometry and material of the electrodes, and the distance between discharge and collection can influence the energy efficiency. Through the above analysis, it was determined that the electrohydrodynamic drying of ginger is a good drying method. Technology that moves from the laboratory to industrialization progresses through three stages: laboratory research, pilot testing, and industrialization. These experimental results are from the research stage of EHD drying technology in the laboratory. The main purpose is to explore the laws of EHD drying and provide experimental data and theoretical basis for further research. Our goal is to move EHD drying technology from the laboratory to industrialization, but a lot more work needs to be carried out.  
J.Z.: Conceptualization; Investigation; Methodology; Writing--original draft. C.D.: Conceptualization; Project administration; Resources; Supervision; Writing--review and editing. C.C.: Conceptualization; Methodology; Resources. L.L.: Conceptualization; Methodology; Resources. J.L.: Data curation; Visualization; Validation. Z.S.: Conceptualization; Methodology. C.Q.: Conceptualization; Methodology. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
The authors are grateful for the support provided by National Natural Science Foundations of China (Nos. 12365023, 52067017, and 12265021); Program for Young Talents of Science and Technology in Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China (No. NJYT23020); Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China (Nos. 2022 LHMS01002, 2023 LHMS05019, and 2024 LHMS05010); and The Basic Scientific Research Business Project of the Universities Directly of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China (Nos. JY20220066, JY20220232, JY20240045, and JY20240070).  
Not applicable.  
Data Availability Statement: Data will be made available on request.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.