ACCELERATED METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE KINETIC MODEL OF ASCORBIC ACID LOSS DURING DEHYDRATION

An accelerated method for determining the kinetic model which describes the loss of ascorbic acid during air drying was developed. The method is based on tests conducted under dynamic conditions, i.e. ascorbic acid loss is studied in the course of the dehydration process during which temperature and moisture content are changing continuously. The results are used to determine the form of the kinetic model and the kinetic parameters relating rate of loss to moisture content, temperature, and reactant concentration. The method successfully predicted the kinetic model describing the loss of ascorbic acid in a simulated air drying process. This approach may eliminate the necessity for time-consuming experiments conducted at each of several combinations of temperature and moisture content and may be applicable to other deteriorative reactions.