Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.


If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Developing Radio Frequency Treatment Protocol for Disinfesting Coffee Beans

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2012 Dallas, Texas, July 29 - August 1, 2012  121345199.(doi:10.13031/2013.42135)
Authors:   L Pan, S Jiao, S Wang, L Gautz, K Tu
Keywords:   Coffee bean, Heating uniformity, Quality, Quarantine, RF

The objective of this study was to develop novel non-chemical treatments for postharvest disinfesting coffee beans using radio frequency (RF) energy. A pilot-scale 27 MHz, 6 kW RF unit was used to study heating uniformity, develop a treatment protocol, and evaluate quality attributes in treated coffee beans. After comparing 3 selected electrode gaps, an appropriate gap of 14 cm was obtained to raise the central temperature of 2.75 kg samples to 48C using RF energy by 4.6 min, compared to more than 237 min using forced hot air at 48C. RF heating uniformity in beans was improved by adding forced hot air, and back and forth movements. The final temperatures reached 50.4C and 50.6C, resulting in uniformity index values of 0.060 and 0.073 for interior and surface temperature distributions, respectively. No significant differences in weight loss, moisture content, and color were observed between RF treatments and unheated controls.

(Download PDF)    (Export to EndNotes)