Honey De-crystallization by radio frequency heating for process efficiency: Computational monitoring combined with time domain nuclear magnetic resonance

Karatas O., Uyar R., Berk B., ÖZTOP H. M., Marra F., ERDOĞDU F.

Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, vol.85, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 85
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ifset.2023.103345
  • Journal Name: Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Compendex, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Keywords: Honey, de-crystallization, Radio frequency, TD-NMR, Computational modelling, DIELECTRIC-PROPERTIES, OPTIMIZATION, QUALITY
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Industrial de-crystallization of honey is carried out by using hot water or air at 60 °C or higher temperatures with the cost of energy and longer process times. The objectives of this study were to apply RF processing for de-crystallization and monitor this process with time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) data and a computational model. For this purpose, crystallized honey samples were processed in a 10 kW - 27.12 MHz free-running oscillator RF system, and experimental temperature data were used to validate the developed computational model. TD-NMR experiments were performed to monitor the de-crystallization, and the obtained kinetics data were coupled with temperature increase to compute the crystal content changes through the process. The RF de-crystallization led to a significant decrease (>70% compared to the conventional processes) in process time for industrial scale processing demonstrating its sustainability.