Mathematical analysis and modelling of respiration rate of tropical climacteric produces during storage under various temperatures

Abstract

Many tropical agricultural products belong to climacteric group which need more attention to be able to extend or maintain their shelf life during storage. One of the most important phenomenon of climacteric produce is about the respiration rate of that produce. The following research was intended to investigate the rate of respiration of tropical climacteric products under various treatments including low temperature and the type of products. This research had developed respirometer device made from glass and thick plastic jar equipped with some needed sensing devices such as air temperature and humidity, product temperature sensing devices, and a tap for O2 and CO2 measurement. The respiration rate of banana, guava, and mango was succeded measured by using a closed system method. It was found that storage temperature, fruit type, and interaction between them were significantly affect the respiration rate. The changes in gas composition inside the respirometer were found to vary for each fruit studied. This could be referred to an internal composition for every fruit was different. The fastest rate of O2 consumption and CO2 evolution belong to banana and mango, respectively. The effect of temperature on respiration rate could be modeled using Arrhenius equation with a satisfactory results.