Mathematical Modelling of Muña Leaf Drying (Minthostachys mollis) for Determination of the Diffusion Coefficient, Enthalpy, and Gibbs Free Energy

In Peru, there are more than four thousand plants with medicinal properties, including muña, which helps digestion and improves health. The way to preserve these is drying up. objective of this research was investigate the coefficient diffusion, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy in kinetics muña leaves. Different pretreatments were carried out on samples (without pretreatment, as well treated by immersion 1% ascorbic acid bleaching at 60 °C for 30 s), they dehydrated three temperatures (40, 50, °C). modeled using eight mathematical models represent curve. water content reduced process. logarithmic model selected, it showed best fit muña. Activation values similar between treatments (p > 0.05). increase temperature decreases enthalpy entropy increases effective diffusion coefficient. allows one determine time storage product thermodynamic properties design equipment.