Abstract

The objective of this research was to develop, and experimentally validate a fully mathematical model, to predict mass transfer phenomena in Pacific Hake (Merluccius australis) packed in refrigerated modified atmosphere. A mathematical model to predict mass transfer of CO2, O2, N2 and water vapor was developed and validated. The diffusion model was developed utilizing Fick's second law, considering fish fillet as an infinite slab and applied to Pacific Hake (lean fish species) under refrigeration conditions. CO2 diffusivity of Pacific Hake was determined by an inverse procedure at 0C and resulted in a value of 5.19 × 10-10 [m2/s] that is in accordance with values reported in the literature. However, postmortem variations of pH could affect solubility and diffusivity of CO2 in fish muscle.