title: Sodium Chloride Diffusion in Low-Acid Foods during Thermal Processing and Storage.
abstract: This study aimed at modeling sodium chloride (NaCl) diffusion in foods during thermal processing using analytical and numerical solutions and at investigating the changes in NaCl concentrations during storage after processing. Potato, radish, and salmon samples in 1% or 3% NaCl solutions were heated at 90, 105, or 121 °C for 5 to 240 min to simulate pasteurization and sterilization. Selected samples were stored at 4 or 22 °C for up to 28 d. Radish had the largest equilibrium NaCl concentrations and equilibrium distribution coefficients, but smallest effective diffusion coefficients, indicating that a greater amount of NaCl diffused into the radish at a slower rate. Effective diffusion coefficients determined using the analytical solution ranged from 0.2 × 10(-8) to 2.6 × 10(-8) m²/s. Numerical and analytical solutions showed good agreement with experimental data, with average coefficients of determination for samples in 1% NaCl at 121 °C of 0.98 and 0.95, respectively. During storage, food samples equilibrated to a similar NaCl concentration regardless of the thermal processing severity. The results suggest that sensory evaluation of multiphase (solid and liquid) products should occur at least 14 d after processing to allow enough time for the salt to equilibrate within the product.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State Univ, L.J. Smith 204, P.O. Box 64120, Pullman, WA, 99164-6120, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Ellen R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Bornhorst
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State Univ, L.J. Smith 204, P.O. Box 64120, Pullman, WA, 99164-6120, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Juming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State Univ, L.J. Smith 204, P.O. Box 64120, Pullman, WA, 99164-6120, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Shyam S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sablani
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D004058:Diffusion; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D061353:Food Storage / Q000379:methods; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008956:Models, Chemical; D061352:Pasteurization; D031224:Raphanus; D017747:Seafood; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D011198:Solanum tuberosum; D012996:Solutions; D013242:Sterilization; D013649:Taste; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D012996:Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride
keywords: heat and mass transfer; modeling; salt; storage; thermal processing