Radio frequency disinfestation of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in semolina: An emerging thermal technique

Abstract

AbstractTribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation is inevitable during the storage of semolina and its derivative products. This study applied the emerging radio frequency (RF) heating technology to disinfest T. castaneum in semolina, using a 40.68 MHz, 10 kW RF unit. In the context of considering the quality of semolina, .8 A RF current load with 8 min exposure time was found to be optimum and effective for attaining 100% disinfestation of T. castaneum in semolina. Changes in moisture content, color and gluten content were determined in RF treated semolina to evaluate the effect of RF heating. Mortality of all life stages of T. castaneum was 100% at 64.40 ± 1.40°C of semolina during RF heating. The susceptibility of T. castaneum to RF heating was egg > pupa > larva > adult. Gluten variance was minor, confirmed by SEM micrographs showing slight differences in structure compared to untreated semolina. This supports RF as an eco‐friendly method for semolina disinfestation, making it a promising innovation.Practical ApplicationsThis study applied RF disinfestation method for T. castaneum in semolina, research findings in the study indicates that RF treatment for disinfestation of T. castaneum obtained a good result with 100% mortality. The RF treated semolina had a less color variance, significant moisture reduction, compared to control and slight difference in gluten network and starch molecule structure of RF treated semolina compared to untreated semolina.