Response Surface Methodology as a Tool for Optimization of Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment and Microwave-Convective Drying of Apple

The benefits of using hybrid drying are increasingly remarked. Microwave-convective (MW-CD) links the advantages both microwave and convective methods allows negative phenomena that appear when used separately to diminish. Most importantly, reduced specific energy consumption relatively short time observed, which can be additionally decreased by application various preliminary treatments, e.g., pulsed electric field (PEF). Thus, purpose this study was determine impact PEF pretreatment on MW-CD apples its chosen physicochemical properties. This research designed response surface methodology (RSM). first variable power (100, 200, 300 W), second input (1, 3.5, 6 kJ/kg). Optimization responses were assumed: MR = 0.02, water activity, hygroscopicity after 72 h, rehydration ratio, relative dry matter content, total phenolic ability scavenge ABTS•+ radical cations, DPPH• radicals based EC50 values. most optimal parameters comprised intake 3.437 kJ/kg W (desirability equalled 0.624), provided minimized obtaining with desired