Recent advances in food processing by radio frequency heating techniques: A review of equipment aspects

Radio frequency (RF) treatment, as an emerging thermal technology, has been studied for various purposes in food processing. In addition to optimal design of the RF processing conditions, the overall performance of the equipment is a key factor in determining the process efficiency and product quality. Although different types and scales of RF equipment have been used in food processing, the growing demand has exposed certain drawbacks of the RF equipment applications, especially for the heating uniformity, convenience of operation, treating efficiency, and product quality, and therefore, custom designed or combined equipment based on the specific application scenarios has attracted wider attentions. This paper systematically reviews the current state on applications of RF equipment for various purposes of food processing. The heating principles, typical equipment, customized accessories, and combination modes of RF systems are summarized, and some important findings and conclusions are provided in detail. Moreover, the challenges and future directions of RF equipment used in food processing are also discussed, which may help to better design and optimize RF equipment used for future food processing. This review would improve the understanding of RF equipment for food processing and promote the application of RF technology in the industrial scale.

Automated summary

RF treatment is crucial for the process efficiency and product quality in food processing. The drawbacks of RF equipment applications have been exposed, leading to the development of custom designed or combined equipment for specific scenarios. This review summarizes the current state, challenges, and future directions of RF equipment in food processing, aiming to enhance the understanding and promote the application of RF technology in the industry.