Storage stability of pistachios as influenced by radio frequency treatments for postharvest disinfestations

A pilot-scale 6 kW RF system with conveyor belt was used to determine the heating uniformity and quality changes of pistachios. For a combination with hot air surface heating and mixing, an effective and continuous RF disinfestation method could be developed for pistachios. The RF heating technology has been successfully demonstrated for disinfesting walnuts in California, USA. We tried to expand the industrial applications of RF heating for disinfesting pistachios, to replace the chemical fumigation. This research may provide potential industrial applications of RF treatments for disinfestations based on fast and uniform heating.