Abstract
This work has examined the influence of ultrasonic-assisted air-drying on the
dehydration of apple (Malus domestica L. var Royal Gala) and its influence in the
availability of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, D and E in the dried product. This study
allowed estimating the effective water diffusivity in air-drying process subjected to
ultrasonic waves and to evaluate the influence of ultrasonic processing on the availability
of vitamins. The water effective diffusivity increased by up to 79% by ultrasound
application, which caused a reduction of about 35% in the total drying time. The
application of ultrasound increased the availability of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and D,
releasing the vitamin bounded to the cell membrane, protein or apoenzyme.
