C3 - Modelling the effect of temperature on kinetics

Effect of temperature on quality

Temperature increases the kinetic energy of molecules and thus increases:

• The rate of diffusion phenomena

• The rate of chemical reactions

• The rate of enzymatic reactions (within limits)

• The numerical value of your rate parameter!!

How to model temperature relating to rate?

• by using the Arrhenius equation

• Make sure to use the right units, formula is in formularium

• Temperature is in K (absolute temperature)!!

• Units for R and activation energy should be the same

Linear version of Arrhenius equation (not in formularium), with axis.

The higher the activation energy…

The higher the Ea, the faster k increases with T.

What happens if you lower activation energy

Results in increase in rate.

What does A mean in Arrhenius equation?

Factor A represents the upper limit for k, when T → infinite.

Is the rate constant always the same for the same chemicals?

No, it can be different from system to system.

How does activation energy differ?

Activation energy will differ from food to food.

Does Arrhenius equation work for non-chemical changes

• No

• Only if you turn it into what is seen in the picture.

Even for chemical reactions, Arrhenius equation may not apply or may enable inter- and extrapolation for a limited temperature range.

Deviations are possible because of:

• Complex (non-elementary) reactions

• Changes in physical state (e.g. freezing)

• Water changes with temperature

• pH changes with temperature

• Solubility changes with temperature

• Inactivation of catalysts (e.g. enzymatic reactions)

Non-Arrhenius behavior or Arrhenius-like behavior

• Always check whether Arrhenius equation applies: Arrhenius plot

• For chemical QPI, Arrhenius equation may apply only on a limited temperature range…

• Arrhenius equation may not apply for non-chemical QPI

• Because of complex reactions or the effect of T on food matrix

• For non-chemical QPI it is advised to use an Arrhenius-like model

• Other k(T) models are possible: log-logistic model

How to incorporate effect of temperature in kinetic models

Kinetic models for optimization

• This creates Iso-effect curves.