Hot air-assisted radio frequency drying of black carrot pomace: Kinetics and product quality

This research investigated the application of combined hot air and radio frequency drying technology on the drying efficiency and the quality of black carrot pomace (BCP). Electrode gap (8, 9 and 10 cm), thickness (2, 3 and 4 cm), weight (500, 750 and 1000 g) and compaction density (0.44, 0.66 and 0.88 g/cm³) were the parameters studied to determine the drying characteristics of the pomace by hot air-assisted radio frequency (HARF) drying system. Electrode gap of 8 cm and thickness of 2 cm, weight of 500 g and compaction density of 0.44 g/cm³ were identified as the ideal HARF drying conditions. HARF drying shortened the drying time by 39% compared to conventional hot air (HA) drying. Six different mathematical models were used for describing the drying characteristic of BCP. The effective moisture diffusivities were estimated by two approaches: the diffusion equation method and the method of slope for HARF drying and HA drying methods. HARF drying provided the dried products with better color, phenolic content, anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity.Industrial relevanceBlack carrot pomace is an industrial waste left after the juice extraction from black carrot. The most common utilization way of this valuable by-product is to use it as animal feed. The reason behind this fact is the difficulties in drying of a high moisture bulk material in huge quantities produced in winter season. If it is not dried on time, it gets fermented and become useless for the separation of valuable components such as anthocyanin, pectin and fiber. So, a fast and efficient drying method and its characterization is essential for the utilization of this valuable by-product.     

热风-远红外联合干燥肉脯的工艺优化及其品质研究

为提高肉脯品质,本文研究了不同干燥技术对肉脯品质的影响,以水分含量、剪切力、色差和质构为指标,通过单因素和正交试验优化热风-远红外联合干燥肉脯的工艺条件,确定干燥模型,并对比分析微波、热风、远红外干燥技术对肉脯品质的影响。结果表明:热风-远红外联合干燥肉脯的最佳工艺为:第一段热风干燥温度Ⅰ170℃,第二段热风干燥温度Ⅱ 250℃,第三段红外烤制温度Ⅲ 260℃,干燥100 s,制得肉脯的水分含量低(13.54±0.48) g/100 g,嫩度高,易咀嚼,符合Modified Henderson and Pabis干燥模型(R2=0.9976);与微波干燥、热风干燥和远红外干燥相比,热风-远红外联合干燥的肉脯品质最佳,改善了产品的感官质量,水分含量、剪切力、硬度、咀嚼性、L*值和a*值分别是热风干燥的92%、55%、60%、46%、109%和121%,胶粘性和b*值无显著差异。该研究为肉脯的干燥加工提供了理论依据。     

Microwave assisted drying of short-cut (ditalini) macaroni: Drying characteristics and effect of drying processes on starch properties

Macaroni samples were dried by conventional hot air, microwave alone and hot air followed by microwave drying methods. The drying of macaroni samples took place in the falling rate period. Higher drying rates were observed with a higher microwave power level. A diffusion model was employed to fit the experimental drying data in order to characterize the drying rate of samples. Drying only with microwave energy (70 and 210 W) or hot air–microwave energy (70 and 210 W) resulted in substantial shortening of the drying time. The reduction was 61.8%, 87.3%, 61% and 78%, respectively, of the time to dry with hot air. All starch granules of semolina and hot air dried macaroni displayed a clear “Maltese cross” under polarized light. Starch granules of macaroni samples dried with microwave (70–210 W) and combined hot air–microwave (70–210 W) had irregular shapes but retained birefringence in about half or whole of each granule. The starch gelatinization enthalpies of macaroni samples dried with hot air, microwave alone (70 and 210 W) and combined hot air and microwave (70 and 210 W) drying were lower than that of semolina sample. This confirms that starch is not completely gelatinized during drying.     

Study of banana dehydration using sequential infrared radiation heating and freeze-drying

The drying and quality characteristics of banana slices processed with a sequential infrared radiation and freeze-drying (SIRFD) method were investigated. Cavendish bananas slices with 5 mm thickness were predehydrated using IR heating at each one of three radiation intensities, 3000, 4000, and 5000 W/m² or hot air at 62.8 °C. The predehydrated samples with 20% and 40% weight reductions obtained using 4000 W/m² IR intensity were then further dried using freeze-drying for various times to determine the effect of predehydration on the drying rate during freeze-drying. To improve the quality of dried banana chips, the banana slices were also treated with a dipping solution containing 10 g/l ascorbic acid and 10 g/l citric acid before the IR predehydration. Control samples were produced using regular freeze-drying without the predehydration. The quality characteristics of dried banana chips, including color, thickness shrinkage and crispness, were evaluated. The predehydration results showed that the drying rate of IR heating was significantly higher than the hot air drying and increased with the increase of IR intensity. For example, it took 10 and 38 min to achieve 40% weigh reduction by using IR at 4000 W/m² and hot air drying, respectively. However, the banana slices with IR predehydration dried slower during freeze-drying compared to the samples without predehydration, which was due to texture changes that occurred during the predehydration. Acid dipping improved product color and also reduced freeze-drying time compared to non-dipped samples. It has been concluded that SIRFD can be used for producing high crispy banana chips and additional acid dipping improved product color and reduced required freeze-drying time.     

Far infrared assisted refractance window drying of apple slices: Comparative study on flavour,nutrient retention and drying characteristics

In the present investigation, far infrared (FIR) assisted refractance window (RW) drying (FIR+RW) of apple slices (2 and 5 mm) was evaluated in comparison with RW and hot air (HA). FIR+RW reduced drying time by 50 and 69% compared to RW and HA, respectively. Also, FIR+RW drying retained a significantly higher amount of phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity, as compared to HA. Increase in FIR temperature from 50 to 60 °C reduced drying time by 10–19% without having any deleterious effect on quality. Colour, flavour, and microstructure of FIR+RW dried slices were comparable to that of RW. Nearly 46% saving in energy consumption was observed for FIR+RW drying compared to HA. Results suggested that FIR+RW drying can be explored as a potential technique for drying of fruits in a shorter time, with better retention of flavour, nutrients and also enhance energy efficiency.Industrial relevanceDried apple slices have a good market potential as a raw material in many processed foods and can be an alternative to deep fat fried chips for health-conscious consumers. This work focuses on assessing the efficacy of developed FIR assisted RW drying system in terms of drying time, energy, and quality attributes (colour, nutritional, flavour, microstructure) in comparison with conventional drying methods. The results showed that FIR assisted RW drying technique has great industrial potential in saving processing time as well as energy with better retention of quality of dried products.     

Verification of radio frequency heating uniformity and Sitophilus oryzae control in rough,brown, and milled rice

Radio frequency (RF) heating is considered to be an alternative physical method for disinfesting postharvest agricultural products to replace chemical fumigation due to its inherent dangers on human health and environment. A pilot-scale, 27.12 MHz, 6 kW RF system was used to study the RF heating uniformity and validate the developed RF treatment protocols for disinfesting rough, brown, and milled rice. The results showed that the optimum RF heating uniformity in rough and brown rice was obtained by an appropriate electrode gap of 11 cm with a forced hot air heating at 50 °C, movement of the conveyor with a speed of 12.4 m/h, two mixings, and holding at 50 °C hot air for 5 min. Mortality of adult rice weevils, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), increased with increasing heating temperature and holding time, and reached 100% while RF heating at 50 °C holding in hot air for at least 6 min. There were no significant differences in quality parameters (moisture, protein, water activity, starch, free fatty acid, ash, and color) between RF treatments and untreated controls during storage (P > 0.05). The developed non-chemical alternative RF technology may hold potential for disinfesting rough, brown, and milled rice required by the growing organic market.     

Developing Hot Air-Assisted Radio Frequency Drying for In-shell Macadamia Nuts

Dehydration reduces water activity and extends shelf life of perishable agricultural products. The purpose of this research was to study the application of radio frequency (RF) energy in dehydration of in-shell Macadamia nuts and shorten the lengthy process times needed in conventional hot air drying operations. A pilot scale 27.12-MHz and 6-kW RF system was used to determine the operational parameters, the drying curve, and the quality attributes of the processed nuts. The results showed that an electrode gap of 15.5 cm and a hot air temperature of 50 °C provided an acceptable heating rate and stable sample temperatures, and were used for further drying tests. The drying curves showed an exponential decay and required 750 and 360 min to achieve the final moisture content of 0.030 kg water/kg dry solid (3.0 % dry basis) in whole nuts in hot air drying and RF heating/hot air combined drying, respectively. The drying kinetics of the nuts were described well by the Page model for hot air drying, but a logarithmic model was more suited for RF/hot air drying. Peroxide value and free fatty acid increased with the drying time both for hot air and RF drying but remained within acceptable range required by the nut industry. The RF process shows potential to provide rapid, uniform, and quality-acceptable drying technology for the nut industry.     

Pasteurization process development for controlling Salmonella in in-shell almonds using radio frequency energy

Radio frequency (RF) treatment holds potential as a pasteurization method to control Salmonella in almonds without causing a substantial loss of product quality. Thermal resistance of Salmonella can be reduced by increasing water activity, thus a soaking process was designed prior to RF treatments. A pilot-scale 27 MHz, 6 kW RF heating system was used to rapidly heat 1.7 kg washed in-shell almonds with hot air heating at 55 °C. To achieve appropriate heating rate, constant drying temperature and short time cooling, the RF treatment protocol was obtained using an electrode gap of 13 cm for heating, 14 cm for drying, and followed by forced room air cooling of 5-cm thick samples. The results showed that almond temperatures above 75 °C at 23% moisture contents for 2-4 min RF heating could meet the requirements to achieve 5-log reduction of Salmonella. The RF treatment process for 20 min reduced the moisture content to 5.7% w.b. Peroxide value, fatty acids values and kernel colors of the RF treated almonds met good quality standard used by nut industry.     

Suitability of thin layer models for infrared-hot air-drying of onion slices

Onion slices were dried under different processing conditions applying infrared radiation assisted by hot air. Drying temperature, slice thickness, inlet air temperature and air velocity were varied to study the drying behavior. Thin layer models such as Page, modified Page, Fick's and Exponential models, which are used to describe the drying kinetics of food materials, were tested for the combination mode drying. The linear plots for Page and modified Page models gave a better fit (R²=0.980-0.995) over the other two models (R²=0.767-0.933). A combined regression equation developed to predict the drying parameters (k and n) for all the four models gave a fairly good fit (R²=0.852-0.989). The modified Page model gave better predictions for drying characteristics over the other models.     

Development of effective drying strategy with a combination of radio frequency (RF) and convective hot-air drying for inshell hazelnuts and enhancement of nut quality

Drying characteristics of combined radio frequency (RF) and hot-air (HA) were investigated for inshell hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.), which have air-gap between kernel and shell (shell, kernel, and air-gap between them). Inshell hazelnuts were subjected to HA, HA followed by RF (HAFRF), RF followed by HA (RFHA), and HA assisted RF (HARF) drying (simultaneous process). Fiber optic sensors were used to monitor temperature profiles for both hazelnut kernels and shells at three representative locations (center, edge, and corner) in a tray in 6-kW 27.12-MHz RF system with or without HA (~75 °C). RF heating resulted in higher kernel temperature than shell and was effective to remove kernel moisture. When RF heating was applied during or before HA drying, energy efficiency, drying efficacy, and nut quality were enhanced. This study provided a better understanding of drying characteristics of combined RF and HA process and suggested efficient RF-implemented drying strategies for inshell hazelnuts.     

Storage stability of pistachios as influenced by radio frequency treatments for postharvest disinfestations

There has been an increased interest in developing alternative physical methods for disinfesting postharvest nuts under growing international pressures to replace chemical fumigation due to its adverse effects on human health and environment. The present research explored the possibility of using radio frequency (RF) heating as a non-chemical treatment for disinfestations of pistachios. A pilot-scale, 27 MHz, 6 kW RF unit was used to study RF heating uniformity, develop a treatment protocol, and evaluate quality attributes and storage stability in treated samples. Only 5.6 and 5.5 min were needed to raise the centre temperature of 1.8 kg in-shell and 2.0 kg shelled pistachios to reach 55 °C using RF energy, respectively, compared to about 82 and 117 min when using hot air heating at 55 °C. RF heating uniformity in both types of pistachios was improved by adding forced hot air, sample movements on the conveyor and a single mixing in the middle of the treatment time. The final average temperatures on the surface and in the interior of both types of pistachio kernels exceeded 52 °C, following a holding step at 55 °C for 2 min using hot air. This provided a conservative and 100% mortality of fifth-instar Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella [Hübner]). RF treated samples were not significantly different from control samples in weight loss, peroxide values, fatty acid values, fatty acid composition and kernel colour. RF treatments can, therefore, potentially provide an effective and rapid protocol against stored product pests in pistachios as an alternative to chemical fumigation.Industrial relevanceA pilot-scale 6 kW RF system with conveyor belt was used to determine the heating uniformity and quality changes of pistachios. For a combination with hot air surface heating and mixing, an effective and continuous RF disinfestation method could be developed for pistachios. The RF heating technology has been successfully demonstrated for disinfesting walnuts in California, USA. We tried to expand the industrial applications of RF heating for disinfesting pistachios, to replace the chemical fumigation. This research may provide potential industrial applications of RF treatments for disinfestations based on fast and uniform heating.     

Infrared thermography assisted control for apples microwave drying

A microwave based system was developed for drying of apple slices while on-line controlling their temperatures. An infrared thermography assisted control system allowed to realize temperature control by detecting the instantaneous maximum temperature among the samples under test instead of a chosen slice. The effectiveness of the system at hand in realizing temperature control both in space and in time was proven for three temperatures: 55, 65 and 75 °C. Temperature fluctuations became larger both with time increasing and with rising temperature levels thus causing a negative impact on dried fruit quality. In fact apples slices dried at 75 °C by microwave showed L^∗ (lightness) and white index (WI) values significantly lower (p < 0.05), when compared to the fresh samples and to the apples dried by hot air. To overcome such behaviour a mode stirrer was introduced resulting in halving the temperature spatial oscillations of sample slices.     

高压静电场对胡萝卜热风干燥特性的影响

采用控制变量法,以胡萝卜为试验材料,分析了45、55、65 ℃时高压静电场对热风干燥时间、能耗、品质及复水率的影响,利用Weibull函数对胡萝卜干燥过程进行拟合。结果表明:热风干燥添加高压静电场可提高胡萝卜干燥速率,进而缩短干燥时间,加入高压静电场后,能耗与传统热风相比有所降低。高压静电场主要作用于热风干燥前期,热风-静电联合干燥所得胡萝卜干制品品质较好,证实Weibull拟合函数适用于胡萝卜静电-热风干燥。     

Application of ohmic heating/vacuum impregnation treatments and air drying to develop an apple snack enriched in folic acid

The changes of lifestyle and eating habits of consumers have induced a growth in the demand for functional food. The aim of this work was to study the incorporation of folic acid into apple slices by using ohmic heating (OH) and vacuum impregnation (VI) at 30, 40 and 50 °C and air drying at 50, 60 and 70 °C to obtain an apple snack that is rich in folic acid. The kinetic impregnation of folic acid, texture and color were evaluated. The impregnated samples (VI) at 40 °C and vacuum-impregnated samples with ohmic heating (VI/OH) at 50 °C presented a high content of folic acid, whereas the samples air dried at 60 °C presented an important retention of folic acid. The lowest loss of firmness and color was obtained with the VI/OH treatment at 50 °C with drying at 60 °C. Therefore, the VI/OH treatment at 50 °C followed by drying at 60 °C was determined to be the best process for creating dehydrated apple slices that are rich in folic acid.Industrial relevanceThe aim of this research was to study the incorporation of folic acid into dehydrated sliced apples by using vacuum impregnation/ohmic heating (VI/OH) treatments and air drying technologies and evaluating the mechanical and optical properties of the resulting product. Two technologies, vacuum impregnation (VI) and ohmic heating (OH) were performed at 30, 40 or 50 °C with an electric field intensity of 13 V/cm using conventional heating. The results showed that the samples impregnated of apple slices by VI and VI/OH treatments reached the highest content of folic acid. However, the samples that were dried at 60 °C after impregnation by the VI/OH treatment at 50 °C exhibited an increase in folic acid due to the electropermeabilization effect, which induces retention of folic acid and an increase in the folic acid concentration by decreasing the water content. Under the investigated conditions, the VI/OH treatment at 50 °C followed by air drying at 60 °C may be considered the best processing method to obtain an apple snack that is rich in folic acid.     

Industrial-scale radio frequency treatments to control Sitophilus oryzae in rough,brown, and milled rice

Many previously studies have confirmed that radio frequency (RF) treatments have the potential to be developed as non-chemical alternative disinfestation methods. However, most of them are conducted in laboratory scale RF systems, and it is necessary to scale up the treatment protocol for industry scale applications. A pilot-scale, 27.12 MHz, 6 kW RF system was used to simulate the continuous industrial processing and finally estimate the heating efficiency and throughput for controlling adult rice weevils, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), in milled, brown, and rough rice. An electrode gap (11.5 cm) was chosen based on the appropriate heating rate (6–8 °C/min). RF heating uniformity in the three types of rice samples was improved by adding 50 °C forced hot air surface heating, sample movements on the conveyor belt at a speed of 12.5 m/h, and holding in 50 °C hot air for 6 min. The final industrial RF treatment achieved a complete mortality of adult S. oryzae and provided acceptable quality attributes in moisture content, water activity, color, protein, free fatty acid, and ash. The average heating efficiency and throughput of the RF treatments were 77.7, 76.3, and 74.3%, and 268.8, 247.3, and 224.8 kg/h for milled, brown, and rough rice, respectively. The industrial scale-up studies provide alternative physical methods for disinfesting milled, brown, and rough rice to replace chemical fumigation.     

Non-stationary drying of carrot: Effect on product quality

This paper presents the results of studies concerning the quality of food materials like vegetables subjected to convective drying in non-stationary conditions. The effect of different frequencies and amplitudes of the periodically changeable drying air temperature on the quality of dried carrot (Daucus carota L.) has been investigated. The indicators of the quality such as the color change, the water activity and the retention of β-carotene were analyzed. The slices of carrot root were used as the material for experimental tests. It has been shown that the non-stationary drying carried out in a prescribed variable air temperature significantly minimized the unfavorable effects in color changes, β-carotene degradation, and decay phenomena.     

热风、微波及其联合干燥对蒜片品质的影响

为研究热风、微波及其联合干燥对蒜片品质的影响,以大蒜片为原料,以干燥速率、硫代亚磺酸酯含量、感官评分、色泽L值、复水比和综合得分为指标,比较不同热风温度和微波功率对蒜片干燥特性和品质的影响,并以热风温度、转换点干基含水量、微波功率为实验因素,设计L₉(33)正交实验对热风微波联合干燥蒜片的工艺条件进行优化。结果表明:60 ℃热风干燥和550 W微波干燥所得蒜片干品的综合得分较高,分别为83.64和80.74分。热风温度和微波功率对联合干燥蒜片的综合得分影响极显著(p<0.01);转换点干基含水量对综合得分影响显著(p<0.05)。热风微波联合干燥蒜片的最佳工艺条件为前期热风65 ℃干燥至转换点干基含水量1.00 g/g,后期采用功率550 W微波干燥至干基含水量0.18 g/g。在此条件下,联合干燥制备脱水蒜片的干燥速率最快,硫代亚磺酸酯含量最高为1.7739 mmol/100 g,综合得分最高为92.21分,感官品质较好。因此,热风微波联合干燥技术是适合蒜片干燥的较好方法。     

Assessment of convection,hot‐air combined with microwave‐vacuum and freeze‐drying methods for mushrooms with regard to product quality

Combined drying of hot air and microwave‐vacuum has been proposed as an alternative method to improve the quality of dried mushrooms, especially the structural and textural properties. In the present study, the effect of different drying methods namely, convective hot‐air drying, hot air combined with microwave‐vacuum drying and freeze‐drying on qualitative attributes of pretreated mushrooms was investigated. The quality assessment was based on colour, texture, density, porosity and rehydration characteristics of the dried mushrooms. Combined drying of hot air and microwave‐vacuum resulted in a dried product of superior quality when compared to the slices dried completely by conventional hot air, exhibiting lower overall colour variation, higher porosity, greater rehydration ratio and softer texture. In a dry state, mushrooms with a puffy structure and unique crispy texture were created by the combined drying method, which might be considered as important characteristics for developing nonfat snack‐type food products.     

Effects of microwave and hot‐air drying methods on colour, β‐carotene and radical scavenging activity of apricots

The effects of drying by microwave and convective heating at 60 and 70 °C on colour change, degradation of β‐carotene and the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity of apricots were evaluated. Microwave heating reduced significantly the drying time (up to 25%), if compared with convective one, also owing to the higher temperature reached during the last phase of the process, as monitored by infrared thermography. Colour changes of apricot surface, described with lightness and hue angle, in both drying methods followed a first‐order reaction (0.927 ≤ R² ≤ 0.996). The apricots dried by microwave were less affected by the darkening phenomena. The evolution of β‐carotene in fresh apricots (61.2 ± 5.6 mg kg^?1 d.w.) during the drying highlighted a wider decrease (about 50%) when microwave heating was employed for both the temperatures used. Radical scavenging activity increased (P < 0.05) in all dried samples except for hot‐air dried apricots at 60 °C.     

Tomato peel drying and carotenoids stability of the extracts

Tomato peels were firstly dried by different methods (hot air, freeze‐drying, and fluidized bed drying) to evaluate the recovery of lycopene, β‐carotene and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Comparison of the results showed that hot air drying at 50 °C was a suitable method and alternative to freeze‐drying to preserve carotenoids compounds and antioxidant activity in tomato peels. Then, ethanol/ethyl acetate (1:1) extracts from tomato peel, previously dried at 50 °C by hot air, were submitted to heat (100 °C) and light treatment (1000 lumen) to evaluate their stability as natural food dyes. Heating of the extracts caused a progressive reduction of total carotenoids, up to about 30% after 250 min of treatment, whereas the colour at the end of heat treatment showed small changes, with an overall colour difference (?E) equal to 7. Fluorescent lighting treatment showed an almost total degradation of carotenoids in the extracts after 48 h combined with a fading colour.