Optimization of pulsed electric field assisted drying process of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

Abstract

Optimization of important drying parameters with PEF pretreatment was carried out using Hermetia illucens larvae tissue. Three level factorial design of response surface methodology was used for the study varying specific PEF energy input 10–20 kJ/kg and drying temperature of 50–90 °C. Important average H. illucens larvae temperature during the drying process was obtained by numerical simulation from Luikov drying model. Consumption of drying energy was affected more by the drying temperature, than by the PEF energy. This indicated that range between 81 and 84 °C drying temperature and range from 11.2 to 13.1 kJ/kg of specific PEF energy input may be considered as optimal processing window for larvae drying.