Hot-Air-Assisted Radiofrequency Drying of Olive Pomace and Its Effect on the Quality of Olive Pomace Oil

In this study, the drying of olive pomace in a hot-air-assisted radio frequency system (HA-RF) was conducted, and its effects on crude olive pomace oil quality were investigated. In this respect, the effects of radiofrequency electrode distance (90, 105 and 120 mm), sample thickness (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 cm) and compaction density (similar to 0.45, similar to 0.60 and similar to 0.82 g/cm(3)) on drying rate have been evaluated. The best drying, with a higher drying efficiency, was obtained with 1 kg of sample weight and a 10 cm product thickness, similar to 0.45 g/cm(3) compaction density and 105 mm electrode distance. Moreover, the results showed that the compaction density significantly affects the drying rate. The drying time was prolonged by approximately four times by increasing the compaction density from similar to 0.45 to similar to 0.82 g/cm(3). The drying rate of olive pomace in HA-RF drying was compared with drying performed using hot air (HA) and radiofrequency (RF). The results revealed that HA-RF application reduced the drying time by almost 1.7 times compared to hot air drying and by about 2.7 times compared to radiofrequency. The peroxide value, free fatty acid content, p-anisidine value, polyaromatic hydrocarbon content, L*, a*, b*, chlorophyll and total carotenoid content of the oil extracted from the olive pomace dried under the best drying conditions were 1.09%, 12.2 meq O-2/kg oil, 3.01, <1 ppb, 38.6, 7.5, 62.56, 105.25 mg pheophytin a/kg oil, 2.85 mg/kg oil, respectively. The drying of olive pomace in a hot-air-assisted radio frequency system could be an alternative way to ensure the safe and rapid drying of olive pomace.

Automated summary

In this study, the drying of olive pomace using a hot-air-assisted radio frequency system (HA-RF) was investigated. The effects of radiofrequency electrode distance, sample thickness, and compaction density on drying rate were evaluated. The results showed that the best drying conditions were achieved with a 10 cm product thickness, a 0.45 g/cm(3) compaction density, and a 105 mm electrode distance. The HA-RF system reduced the drying time compared to hot air drying and radiofrequency drying, and had no significant impact on the quality of the extracted olive pomace oil.