This study aims at evaluating the applicability of PEF for a
subsequent osmotic dehydration of porous fruits such as apple
and banana disks and vegetables such as carrot disk. In addition,
it is desired to determine the effect of agitation on mass
transfer phenomena and color characteristics in the osmotic
dehydration. The OD kinetics were studied on the basis of a
two-exponential kinetic model developed earlier by Amami
et al. (2005) for a better consideration of the initial mass transfer.
Measurement data were also analyzed on the basis of the
solution of Fick’s law for unsteady state mass transfer in infinite
slab. Coefficients of transfer of water and solid were thus
predicted. Mass transfer coefficient was related to the
Reynolds number and the coefficient of diffusion.
Experimental method is based on the evaluation of solution
concentration, in addition to the weight loss and final moisture
of a single sample.