PONE-D-24-05867Enhancing Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Coated Film for Food Processing: Unveiling Surface Transformations through Oxygenated Plasma Treatment and Parameter Optimization using Response Surface MethodologyPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Zubairi,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

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Reviewer 1:

Abstract: The excess description in the last three sentences of the abstract needs to be minimized and should be more conclusion-oriented.

Introduction: The introduction looks like a literature review. Could you please compare the areas of advancement of your current studies with the relevant articles cited in each paragraph?

Materials and Methods: Well written.

Result and Discussion: Well written.

Conclusion: Improve the language and quality of the keynotes in this section for the readers. Rewrite the closing statements.

Reviewer 2:

The paper focuses on a topical issue to reduce difficulties due to inherent stickiness arising due to the existence of sugars and organic acids with low molecular weight and a low glass transition temperature. This study expands the knowledge base on the application of oxygen plasma treatment on PTFE coated substrates to improve the efficiency of the spray drying process in order to provide a cost-effective solution for the food industry.

The purpose of the research is clearly stated, the objectives are well established and ambitious, the literature review has been critically followed in line with the state of the art.

The study is well-designed and well-written, the methods are suitable and the obtained results are well aligned with the purpose of this work. The research methodology is adequate, well described and sufficiently detailed.

The results are well illustrated in 7 Figures and 8 Tables. Statistical data processing is well performed.

The results are clearly presented. Discussions generally provide relevant explanations for obtained results. Some improvements need to be made in the discussions to better highlight the added value of the research.

Conclusions are drawn accordingly based on the data presented and highlight well the results of this study.

The references are relevant to this research topic.

Some aspect can be improved:

The innovation of this study is not well highlighted.

A more description is needed to better reveal the added value of this work.

What are the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of this approach?

The study has high application potential, but also contributes significantly to the development of the knowledge base in the field. Since this approach is of high quality and has great potential for both science and applications, I recommend its publication after a minor review.

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Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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"The authors express their gratitude to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the financial support extended to this project (GUP-2020-080; ST-2023-043). Appreciation is also extended to the Department of Food Sciences and the Innovative Centre for Confectionery Technology (MANIS) within the Faculty of Science and Technology for their provision of research facilities and guidance."

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"The authors express their gratitude to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the financial support extended to this project (GUP-2020-080; ST-2023-043). Appreciation is also extended to the Department of Food Sciences and the Innovative Centre for Confectionery Technology (MANIS) within the Faculty of Science and Technology for their provision of research facilities and guidance."

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"The authors express their gratitude to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the financial support extended to this project (GUP-2020-080; ST-2023-043). Appreciation is also extended to the Department of Food Sciences and the Innovative Centre for Confectionery Technology (MANIS) within the Faculty of Science and Technology for their provision of research facilities and guidance."

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: The manuscript entitled “Enhancing Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Coated Film for Food Processing: Unveiling Surface Transformations through Oxygenated Plasma Treatment and Parameter

Optimization using Response Surface Methodology” is worth publishing in PLOS ONE after some corrections.

Abstract: The excess description in the last three sentences of the abstract needs to be minimized and should be more conclusion-oriented.

Introduction: The introduction looks like a literature review. Could you please compare the areas of advancement of your current studies with the relevant articles cited in each paragraph?

Materials and Methods: Well written.

Result and Discussion: Well written.

Conclusion: Improve the language and quality of the keynotes in this section for the readers. Rewrite the closing statements.

Reviewer #2: The paper focuses on a topical issue to reduce difficulties due to inherent stickiness arising due to the existence of sugars and organic acids with low molecular weight and a low glass transition temperature. This study expands the knowledge base on the application of oxygen plasma treatment on PTFE coated substrates to improve the efficiency of the spray drying process in order to provide a cost-effective solution for the food industry.

The purpose of the research is clearly stated, the objectives are well established and ambitious, the literature review has been critically followed in line with the state of the art.

The study is well-designed and well-written, the methods are suitable and the obtained results are well aligned with the purpose of this work. The research methodology is adequate, well described and sufficiently detailed.

The results are well illustrated in 7 Figures and 8 Tables. Statistical data processing is well performed.

The results are clearly presented. Discussions generally provide relevant explanations for obtained results. Some improvements need to be made in the discussions to better highlight the added value of the research.

Conclusions are drawn accordingly based on the data presented and highlight well the results of this study.

The references are relevant to this research topic.

Some aspect can be improved:

The innovation of this study is not well highlighted.

A more description is needed to better reveal the added value of this work.

What are the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of this approach?

The study has high application potential, but also contributes significantly to the development of the knowledge base in the field. Since this approach is of high quality and has great potential for both science and applications, I recommend its publication after a minor review.

**********

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: Rev comments_PONE-D-24-05867.docx

Enhancing Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Coated Film for Food Processing: Unveiling Surface Transformations through Oxygenated Plasma Treatment and Parameter Optimization using Response Surface Methodology

PONE-D-24-05867R1

Dear Dr. Zainal Abidin,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Sara Hemati

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

-

Reviewers' comments:

Accept