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The Q10 model says reaction rate multiplies by Q10 for every ten degrees Celsius rise, so shelf life divides by Q10^(deltaT/10). A Q10 of 2.5 means a ten-degree rise cuts shelf life to 40% of the reference value. Q10 must be determined experimentally for each product and failure mode.
Q10 shelf life
Shelf life = known shelf life / Q10^((T_actual - T_reference) / 10)
Shelf life for food, pharmaceutical and medical products must be established by validated stability studies. Q10 extrapolation is a planning tool, not a substitute for real-time data.
From storage trials at three or more temperatures, fitting the degradation rate against temperature. Typical values are 2-3 for chemical degradation and vitamin loss, and much higher for microbial growth.
No. It breaks down across phase changes such as freezing or fat melting, and where the limiting mechanism changes. Never extrapolate far beyond the tested range.