Since a falling-rate period dominates through the drying
processes, the effective diffusivity (Deff) during this period was
determined. Deff is a parameter related to the internal mass transfer
mechanisms during the falling-rate drying period; thus it can be
used as an indicator of water molecular diffusion from the core of
the tomato slice to its surface. The experimental values of Deff
ranged from 1.35 109 to 2.42 109m2 s1