Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41094893›Full record

ArticleSensors (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Design and Evaluation of an Automated Ultraviolet-C Irradiation System for Maize Seed Disinfection and Monitoring.

Mario Rojas, Claudia Hernández-Aguilar, Juana Isabel Méndez, David Balderas-Silva, Arturo Domínguez-Pacheco, Pedro Ponce

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mario RojasInstitute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64700, Mexico.ORCID 0000-0001-8796-5662
Claudia Hernández-AguilarPostgraduate in Sytems Engineering-Biophysical Sytems, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico.ORCID 0000-0002-0952-1510
Juana Isabel MéndezSchool of Architecture, Art and Design, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico City 14380, Mexico.ORCID 0000-0001-5337-2527
David Balderas-SilvaInstitute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64700, Mexico.ORCID 0000-0001-7630-8608
Arturo Domínguez-PachecoPostgraduate in Sytems Engineering-Biophysical Sytems, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico.ORCID 0000-0003-3561-7257
Pedro PonceInstitute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64700, Mexico.ORCID 0000-0001-7035-5286

Funding

Secretaria de Educacion, Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion de la Ciudad de Mexico CAR SECTEI/080/2024
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study presents the development and evaluation of an automated ultraviolet-C irradiation system for maize seed treatment, emphasizing disinfection performance, environmental control, and vision-based monitoring. The system features dual 8-watt ultraviolet-C lamps, sensors for temperature and humidity, and an air extraction unit to regulate the microclimate of the chamber. Without air extraction, radiation stabilized within one minute, with internal temperatures increasing by 5.1 °C and humidity decreasing by 13.26% over 10 min. When activated, the extractor reduced heat build-up by 1.4 °C, minimized humidity fluctuations (4.6%), and removed odors, although it also attenuated the intensity of ultraviolet-C by up to 19.59%. A 10 min ultraviolet-C treatment significantly reduced the fungal infestation in maize seeds by 23.5-26.25% under both extraction conditions. Thermal imaging confirmed localized heating on seed surfaces, which stressed the importance of temperature regulation during exposure. Notable color changes (ΔE>2.3) in treated seeds suggested radiation-induced pigment degradation. Ultraviolet-C intensity mapping revealed spatial non-uniformity, with measurements limited to a central axis, indicating the need for comprehensive spatial analysis. The integrated computer vision system successfully detected seed contours and color changes under high-contrast conditions, but underperformed under low-light or uneven illumination. These limitations highlight the need for improved image processing and consistent lighting to ensure accurate monitoring. Overall, the chamber shows strong potential as a non-chemical seed disinfection tool. Future research will focus on improving radiation uniformity, assessing effects on germination and plant growth, and advancing system calibration, safety mechanisms, and remote control capabilities.

Indexed as

DisinfectionSeedsUltraviolet RaysZea maysHumidityTemperatureautomationdesignseed disinfectionseed treatment technologyUV-C system

Identifiers

PMID41094893
PMCPMC12526841

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.