<P> Desiccants induce dryness in any environment and reduce the amount of moisture present in air . Desiccants come in various forms and have found widespread use in the food, pharmaceuticals, packing, electronics and many manufacturing industries . </P> <P> Air conditioning systems can be made based on desiccants . </P> <P> Desiccants are used in different kinds of livestock farming to dry newborn animals, such as piglets . The use of a good desiccant can help them dry quicker and save energy, which can be crucial for the animal's development . Another use is to reduce bacteria and pathogens that thrive in wet surfaces, reducing bacteria pressure . However, some desiccants have a very high pH - level, which can be harmful for an animal's skin . </P> <P> Desiccants are also used to remove water from solvents, typically required by chemical reactions that do not tolerate water, e.g., the Grignard reaction . The method generally, though not always, involves mixing the solvent with the solid desiccant . Studies show that molecular sieves are superior as desiccants relative to chemical drying reagents such as sodium - benzophenone . Sieves offer the advantages of being safe in air and recyclable . </P>

What is the main purpose of a drying agent