Effect of an ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field on the physical properties of spelt grain

Abstract

Since spelt grain is one of the most promising non-conventional types of plant material for healthy food products, it is important to investigate environmentally friendly technologies for post-harvest processing of this crop. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical changes in spelt wheat grain under the influence of microwave electromagnetic radiation. The study presented the results of research on how the electromagnetic field of ultra-high frequencies and the duration of processing affect the quality characteristics of spelt grain of the Holikovska wheat variety harvested in Cherkasy region in 2020 and 2021. During the experimental study, physical methods of grain quality research were used following the developed and existing methods and industry standards. The complex structural changes in spelt grains during their treatment with an ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field with an increase in grain size, shape, and volume were investigated. Analysis found that the grain fractional composition changed towards reducing the passage depending on the processing time by 1.5-4.0 times. It was found that the treatment of spelt grain with high-frequency waves for 20-180 s reduces grain moisture content by 2-36% compared to the control, with a significant decrease after the first minute of exposure. Moreover, during the first minute of intensive grain heating, the grain temperature increased, while during the next two minutes, the intensity of grain heating decreased by 1.5-3 times. It was also proved that irradiation with ultra-high frequencies decreased the number of vitreous grains, while the number of floury grains, on the contrary, increased. The analysis also found that the vitreousity of treated spelt wheat grain by electromagnetic waves of ultra-high frequency decreases by 1.3-1.5 times during the last 2-3 minutes of treatment. The developed recommendations for the use of ultra-high frequency electromagnetic waves in the technological processes of storage and processing of spelt grain can be used by enterprises to intensify the production of environmentally friendly products

Keywords

• spelt grain processing
• ultra-high frequencies
• grain heating
• quality
• vitreousity
• fractional composition