Dual-porosity model of mass transport in electroporated biological tissue: Simulations and experimental work for model validation

• Electroporated tissue has been modeled as dual-porosity medium.
• Solute diffusion and juice extraction by pressing from tissue are studied.
• Efficient analytical model was developed for solute/juice yield during extraction.
• Model results/predictions were compared with experimentally obtained data.

Electroporation or pulsed electric field treatment is an important technique for facilitating mass transport in biological tissues with proven benefits for the food processing industry. One of the challenges in understanding its basic mechanisms and effects is mass transport processes in treated tissue. We recently presented a mathematical model called dual-porosity model to describe post-electroporation diffusion in biological tissue and filtration–consolidation behavior of electroporated tissue during pressing. In this work we bring the two analogues together and study the model's applicability and performance by comparing experimental and simulated kinetics. We use two kinds of plant tissue of dissimilar properties (sugar beet taproot and apple fruit), but employ the same methodology to evaluate the validity of basic assumptions. We show that the model describes experimental data and provides more insight into the mass transport processes during post-pulse extraction/pressing. We comment on treatment conditions that expose limitations and indicate possibilities for future development.Industrial relevanceIn order to study and optimize extraction processes following treatment of biological material with electroporation (pulsed electric fields), good knowledge on mass transport processes in electroporated tissue is of essential importance. Development, final form and application of a new mathematical model are presented that will aid in understanding of mass transport by solute diffusion and filtration–consolidation behavior of electroporated tissue under external pressure. It is foreseen that such a model could be used for predictive purposes and optimization of treatment parameters in industrial applications of electroporation, where in silico modeling can thus help find new or improved protocols to increase efficiency and efficacy in pulsed electric field applications.