Multiphysics pore-scale model for the rehydration of porous foods

• A mesoscale, multiphysics model is developed for rehydration of porous vegetables.
• Estimated time scales are in agreement with experimental observations.
• Difference in mobility of solutes explains fast rehydration in blanched samples.

In this paper we present a pore-scale model describing the multiphysics occurring during the rehydration of freeze-dried vegetables. This pore-scale model is part of a multiscale simulation model, which should explain the effect of microstructure and pre-treatments on the rehydration rate. Simulation results are compared to experimental data, obtained by MRI and XRT. Time scale estimates based on the pore-scale model formulation agree with the experimental observations. Furthermore, the pore-scale simulation model provides a plausible explanation for the strongly increased rehydration rate, induced by the blanching pre-treatment.Industrial relevanceThe increased insight in the physical processes governing the rehydration of porous or freeze-dried foods gives more rationale for optimizing all processing steps. Industry is seeking for means to give dried fruits and vegetables more convenience, but also higher quality concerning health and texture. This study shows that blanching pretreatment prior to freeze-drying strongly enhances the rehydration, while the loss of nutrients is hardly affected.