Measuring dielectric properties of fresh fruits and vegetables

The objectives of the study reported were to explore the frequency dependence of the dielectric properties of a few fruits and vegetables at frequencies below 200 MHz, and to obtain data on the temperature dependence of these properties as well, which are of interest in microwave heating and processing of such products. Permittivity measurements on a few different fruits and vegetables are presented for background information on the variation of the dielectric constant and loss factor with both frequency (10 MHz to 1.8 GHz) and temperature (5 to 95/spl deg/C).