Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile Composition

This paper outlines the experimental application of a continuous microwave-assisted (MW) industrial pilot plant for a post-harvest treatment on almond as disinfestation. The analysis of temperature uniformity and of the volatile profile on the unshelled almonds after the physical treatment were also...

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Main Authors: Antonia Tamborrino, Carmine Summo, Antonio Berardi, Davide De Angelis, Gianvito Ragone, Alessandro Leone
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 2023-09-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Transactions
Online Access:https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/13504
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author Antonia Tamborrino
Carmine Summo
Antonio Berardi
Davide De Angelis
Gianvito Ragone
Alessandro Leone
author_facet Antonia Tamborrino
Carmine Summo
Antonio Berardi
Davide De Angelis
Gianvito Ragone
Alessandro Leone
author_sort Antonia Tamborrino
collection DOAJ
description This paper outlines the experimental application of a continuous microwave-assisted (MW) industrial pilot plant for a post-harvest treatment on almond as disinfestation. The analysis of temperature uniformity and of the volatile profile on the unshelled almonds after the physical treatment were also investigated. The major problem during the production, storage and marketing of almonds is the contamination with insects or pests. Microwaves technologies is an alternative procedure to chemical one nowadays applied. The pilot plant has a treatment chamber with five generators of 1,5 kW/each installed along. A PLC operates on Electrical Power and flow rate to configure the operative parameter for the treatment condition. Samples of unshelled almonds from homogeneous batches have been treated with MW at different conditions. Insect mortality in three different life stages: 24-hours old eggs, 24-hours old larvae and mature larvae was evaluated after MW treatments. The uniformity of heating was studied as well as a volatile profile by SPME/GC/MS after the treatment. The results show that the optimal disinfestation effects on eggs and larvae are obtained by subjecting the almonds to a MW treatment at 25-rpm as spiral rotation speed equal to a 55.7 °C as temperature of the almond. The temperatures reached, during the treatment and the related time, were not sufficient for the development of oxidative aldehydes, secondary products of the lipid oxidation. An increase in volatile compounds, important for the characteristic almond flavour such as benzhaldeyde and 3-methylbutanol, has been observed.
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spelling doaj.art-b6e66f8eaefe4935ac66995b66a2e0cc2023-09-29T22:42:31ZengAIDIC Servizi S.r.l.Chemical Engineering Transactions2283-92162023-09-0110210.3303/CET23102014Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile CompositionAntonia TamborrinoCarmine SummoAntonio BerardiDavide De AngelisGianvito RagoneAlessandro LeoneThis paper outlines the experimental application of a continuous microwave-assisted (MW) industrial pilot plant for a post-harvest treatment on almond as disinfestation. The analysis of temperature uniformity and of the volatile profile on the unshelled almonds after the physical treatment were also investigated. The major problem during the production, storage and marketing of almonds is the contamination with insects or pests. Microwaves technologies is an alternative procedure to chemical one nowadays applied. The pilot plant has a treatment chamber with five generators of 1,5 kW/each installed along. A PLC operates on Electrical Power and flow rate to configure the operative parameter for the treatment condition. Samples of unshelled almonds from homogeneous batches have been treated with MW at different conditions. Insect mortality in three different life stages: 24-hours old eggs, 24-hours old larvae and mature larvae was evaluated after MW treatments. The uniformity of heating was studied as well as a volatile profile by SPME/GC/MS after the treatment. The results show that the optimal disinfestation effects on eggs and larvae are obtained by subjecting the almonds to a MW treatment at 25-rpm as spiral rotation speed equal to a 55.7 °C as temperature of the almond. The temperatures reached, during the treatment and the related time, were not sufficient for the development of oxidative aldehydes, secondary products of the lipid oxidation. An increase in volatile compounds, important for the characteristic almond flavour such as benzhaldeyde and 3-methylbutanol, has been observed.https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/13504
spellingShingle Antonia Tamborrino
Carmine Summo
Antonio Berardi
Davide De Angelis
Gianvito Ragone
Alessandro Leone
Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile Composition
Chemical Engineering Transactions
title Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile Composition
title_full Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile Composition
title_fullStr Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile Composition
title_full_unstemmed Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile Composition
title_short Use of a Microwave Pilot Plant for Almond Disinfestation: Study on the Thermal Uniformity of the Treatment and Effect on Volatile Composition
title_sort use of a microwave pilot plant for almond disinfestation study on the thermal uniformity of the treatment and effect on volatile composition
url https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/13504
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