What is best temperature for dehydrating?

[English Tracy]

I'm looking at getting a L'Equip dehydrator which in England is in fahrenheit so temperature range is between 93 and 158 degrees fahrenheit. I understand that this is 33 to 70 degrees celsius/centigrade.

Please could you tell me what best temp is generally for dehydrating and what temp is too high.

Thank you.

Tracy

[DrPr]

That's a really good question and one that engenders debates even in the sciences because the science here is incomplete. Here is an interesting letter to raw foodists from Excalbur on the the topic. They mention why people came up with 105 degrees and 118 degrees. Below is a quote regarding a third idea about temperature:


Just recently we spoke with Dr. John Whitaker who is a world recognized enzymologist, and former dean of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at U.C. Davis. He said that every enzyme is different and some are more stable at higher temperatures than others but that most enzymes will not become completely inactive until food temperatures exceed 140ºF to 158ºF in a wet state.

Read for yourself at:
http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/gen12a.htm