Respiration modeling of cherry tomato (cv. Coco) at different temperatures for modified atmosphere packaging applications

Issue Date

12-2007

Abstract

Oxygen depletion and CO2 accumulation in a closed respiration system containing fresh cherry tomato (cv. Coco) at the light-red stage of ripeness was monitored. Experiments were carried out at 10, 12.5, 17 and 20°C. Five models based on enzyme kinetics equations were evaluated using the data generated; the uncompetitive inhibition model was selected for further validation based on goodness of fit to experimental data. Effect of temperature on model parameter Vm followed Arrhenius kinetics for both O 2 consumption and CO2 production rates (R2 of 0.999 and 0.974, respectively). Computer simulations showed that 0.30-0.45 kg of cherry tomato (cv. Coco) could be packed in 20 cm × 20 cm 30-μ,m polyethylene (PE) bags and held at 10-20°C without producing anaerobic O2 levels; for 40-μm PE, predicted headspace O2 concentration was below the recommended minimum of 3% at this temperature range. The model predicted gas levels accurately in respiration chambers containing a batch of fruits harvested from a different farm and on a different harvest date; comparison of predicted and measured gas levels showed r2 of 0.992 for both O2 and CO2. The model was less accurate in predicting O2 levels in actual 30-μm PE packs; r2 of predicted and measured gas levels were 0.975 and 0.939 for O2 and CO2, respectively. Packaging trials proved that 30-μm PE could maintain an acceptable quality of fruits for 5 d at 20μC if fruits were defect-free. Optimum fill weight for a 20 cm × 20 cm pack was 0.45 kg.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Volume

90

Issue

4

Page

272-282

Document Type

Article

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Language

English

Subject

Cherry tomato, Modelling, Modified atmosphere, Packaging, Respiration

Digital Copy

none

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