Experimental data processing was performed as a
function of time and temperature, and, as a result,
empirical reaction kinetics was developed. Table 1 reports
all reaction kinetics applied and the relevant kinetic
constants. Figs. 1–3 show that models applied
can adequately describe yeast growth and ascorbic acid
and anthocyanin residual contents at the different temperatures.
Ascorbic acid kinetics showed order reaction
and constant values in agreement with literature data
(Kennedy et al., 1992; Polydera et al., 2003). Yeast
growth kinetics was in agreement with models and constant
values reported by Andres et al. (2001) referring to
microbial growth in blonde orange juice, stored at 10C.
Kinetics was used to set up a chart for storage optimisation
of pasteurised fresh blood orange juice (Fig. 4).
The aim of our optimisation chart was to synoptically
show the behaviour of product characteristics during
storage. It may help operators identify not only optimal
storage conditions but also the most significant characteristic
in decreasing shelf-life. It may also allow them
to reveal the variability level of storage operating condi