Effect of radio frequency heating as a potential quarantine treatment on the quality of 'Bing' sweet cherry fruit and mortality of codling moth larvae (pdf)
M.E. Monzon, B. Biasi, T.L. Simpson, J. Johnson, X. Feng, D.C. Slaughter, E.J. Mitcham
2006
‘Bing’ sweet cherries must be fumigated with methyl bromide as security against codling moth infestations for shipment to international markets. The objective of this study was to determine if heating fruit with RF energy could be used as a potential quarantine treatment. Cherries were heated and subjected to various holding times in RF-heated water, then stored to simulate air or sea shipment conditions. Treatments providing quarantine security were achieved. However, quality of treated cherries was acceptable only when fruit was stored to simulate air shipment. Fruit which was pre-warmed required a very short RF-heating time to reach target temperatures. The cherries appeared to tolerate this better than conventional hot water treatments.
RF unit used in large-scale studies
S. Wang, J. Tang, T. Sun, E.J. Mitcham, T. Koral, S.L. Birla
2006
This study provided useful information for designing an industrial scale treatment process using radio frequency heating against insect pests in walnuts. The parameters examined included the effect of walnut orientation on temperature, differential heating between open and closed shell walnuts, the use of pulsed RF heating, and possible quality differences between actual stored walnuts and walnuts subjected to accelerated storage life tests. Energy costs for a large-scale treatment were estimated.
Industrial-scale radio frequency treatments for insect control in walnuts II: Insect mortality and product quality (pdf)
S. Wang , M. Monzon, J.A. Johnson, E.J. Mitcham, J. Tang
2007
A large scale RF system was tested for bulk treatment of in-shell walnuts. Walnuts were collected from the processing line at a commercial facility. These walnuts were put through an industrial RF machine in containers, via conveyor belt. Walnut samples evaluated before and after RF treatment indicated that quality was not affected by the treatment. the RF parameters used in this study would result in mortality of fifth instar navel orange worm larve, the most resistant of the typical in-shell walnut pests. It should also control codling moth, Indian meal moth and red flour beetle. This treatment would provide an effective and environmental-friendly technology for the walnut industry.
'Fuyu' persimmons
Maria E. Monzon, Bill Biasi, and Elizabeth J. Mitcham
2007
The Mexican fruit fly, a serious pest of fruits in Mexico and Central America, requires immediate control measures when it is discovered in California. It has been typically controlled in harvested fruit by methyl bromide treatments. This study explored the use of radio frequency in controlling this pest in persimmons. Specifically, the purpose was to determine the tolerance of persimmon to RF heating treatments. Fruit were heated in the Strayfield machine, in containers of saline water, and were circulated by a pumping system to avoid overheating at fruit contact points. Results show that heating persimmons with RF to 48 °C and then holding for 6.6 minutes would be an effective treatment against this pest.