A study on degradation kinetics of riboflavin in green gram whole (Vigna radiata L.)

The kinetics of riboflavin degradation in green gram whole (Vigna radiata L.), as well as in pure riboflavin solutions, at initial concentrations present in green gram were studied over a temperature range of 50-120 °C (steady state temperature process). Riboflavin degradation followed first order kinetics, where the rate constant increased with an increase in the temperature. The temperature-dependence of degradation was adequately modelled by the Arrhenius equation. The degradation kinetics of riboflavin, in normal open pan cooking, pressure-cooking and a newly developed and patented fuel-efficient `Eco-cooker', were also studied (unsteady state heating process). A mathematical model, to predict the losses of riboflavin from the time-temperature data of the unsteady state heating/cooking process, has been developed using the steady state kinetic parameters obtained. The results indicate riboflavin degradation of a similar magnitude in all three modes of cooking used in the study.