Abstract

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) slabs dried at 60 °C were rehydrated at three temperatures (20, 40 and 60 °C) in order to study the influence of temperature on the kinetics of mass transfer during rehydration phenomenon. Fick, Peleg and Weibull models were applied for rehydration modelling, as well as one new proposed model. All kinetic parameters of the models showed positive dependence on temperature, according to the Arrhenius-type equation. Weibull model and the new proposed model provided the best fit quality for each rehydration curve based on the statistical tests RMS, SSE and Chi-square. In accordance with the results, both models may be used to estimate the rehydration time of A. vera. Furthermore, two rehydration indices (RR and WHC) were analysed, which decreased as temperature increased. These indices confirm that drying process modifies the cell structure of A. vera, reducing the rehydration ability due to cellular and structural disruption that takes place during dehydration. © 2008 The Institution of Chemical Engineers.