Influence of temperature, electrical conductivity, power and pH on ascorbic acid degradation kinetics during ohmic heating using stainless steel electrodes.

ABSTRACT

Degradation kinetics of ascorbic acid was determined in pH 5.7 buffer solution using an isothermal batch ohmic heater with stainless steel electrodes. Variables included in this study were temperature (40, 60 and 80 degrees C); power (0, 100,150 and 300 W); and electrical conductivity (varied using 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0% NaCl). Ascorbic acid concentration was detected by using a HPLC technique. The results indicate that ascorbic acid degradation can be described successfully by a first order model during both conventional and ohmic heating. The Arrhenius relation showed negative values for temperature coefficient (E(T)) during most ohmic treatments, due to a combination of factors that may alter the reaction mechanism. In particular, it appears that at a given power level, higher electric field strengths are conducive to increased incidence of faradaic reactions. Increasing NaCl concentration appears to significantly influence reaction rates via its influence on dissolved oxygen, and through its participation in electrolytic reactions. Contrary to expectations, increasing temperature tended to significantly reduce reaction rate, likely due to decreased dissolved oxygen concentration at high temperature. The results indicate the importance of using inert electrodes in ohmic heating processes.