Journal article
Radio-frequency heating of heterogeneous food – Meat lasagna
Journal of food engineering, Vol.108(1), pp.183-193
01/2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101026
Abstract
► This research studied using radio-frequency (RF) energy to process meat lasagna as shelf-stable food in large containers. ► Direct measurements in a pilot unit revealed small temperature differences in meatballs, mozzarella cheese and sauce. ► Simulation suggested that adequate heat transfer reduced differential heating. ► Thus, RF heating can be used to process shelf-stable pre-packaged heterogeneous foods and retain product quality.
This research studied feasibility of using radio-frequency (RF) energy to thermally process highly heterogeneous foods in large containers as shelf-stable products. Meat lasagna was selected as the food for the study. Dielectric properties of beef, mozzarella cheese, noodles, and sauce were determined between 1 and 1800MHz and from 20 to 121°C. A 6-kW 27-MHz RF system was used to sterilize packaged meat lasagna in large polymeric containers (295×253×42mm) during which the temperature of different components were monitored. Computer simulations were also conducted to evaluate the influence of the dielectric properties of each food component on the electric field distribution and heating pattern during RF heating. The measurements indicated small temperature differences in beef meatballs, mozzarella cheese and sauce when they were properly distributed between layers of noodles. Simulation results suggested that in spite of large differences in electric field intensities in different food components, adequate heat transfer reduced differential heating. Thus, RF heating can be used to process pre-packaged heterogeneous foods and retain product quality.
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Details
- Title
- Radio-frequency heating of heterogeneous food – Meat lasagna
- Creators
- Jian Wang - Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6120, USAKunchalee Luechapattanaporn - Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6120, USAYifen Wang - Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6120, USAJuming Tang - Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6120, USA
- Publication Details
- Journal of food engineering, Vol.108(1), pp.183-193
- Academic Unit
- Biological Systems Engineering, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 99900546559501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article