Investigation of the Feasibility of Radio Frequency Energy for Controlling Insects in Milled Rice

Many studies showed that radio frequency (RF) holds great potential to control insects in grains, while a few more technical issues need to be addressed to further make this technology ready for industrial application. Therefore, the effect of RF heating rate on rice fissure ratio and broken rate, RF heating lethality on immature rice weevils, and RF disinfestation treatment on cooking and eating quality of milled rice was investigated in this study. Results indicated that RF heating rate had no significant influence on rice broken rate, while fast RF heating rate (> 7.2 degrees C/min) had adverse effects on rice fissure ratio, and mild RF heating rate (< 5.8 degrees C/min) had no significant influence on fissure ratio of milled rice. RF treatment (50 degrees C, 5 min) could completely control immature rice weevils in rough, brown, and milled rice. Even though RF disinfestation treatment (50 degrees C, 5 min) influenced the cooking quality (water absorption, adhesive strength) of milled rice, it had no significant effect on overall sensory quality. This study provided valuable information for considering the application of RF energy in milled rice process to control insects.