Freeze drying of medicinal aromatic plants and determination of kinetic models with mathematical modeling

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This study experimentally and analytically investigated the freeze-drying kinetics of five medicinally important plant species (Viburnum opulus, Berberis crataegina, Ajuga reptans, Trachystemon orientalis, and Petasites hybridus) to determine the most suitable drying models. Valuable plants used in traditional and modern medical treatment methods were chosen, and freeze drying, a hygienic drying method, was applied to extend the shelf life of these plants and increase their accessibility. Experimental drying data were analyzed using MATLAB to evaluate eight common kinetic models based on RMSE, X², and R² values. The lowest chi-square (X2) values ranged from 6.79x10-6 to 1.055x10-4, and RMSE values ranged from 0.002607 to 0.01027, with high coefficients (R2 ≥ 0.9993). The Diffusion model was identified as the best fit for V. opulus, A. reptans, and P. hybridus, while the Wang and Sing model suited B. crataegina, and the Page model best described T. orientalis. These findings provide crucial insights for optimizing freeze-drying processes for these sensitive medicinal plants.