Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the respiration rate of coated banana (Musa acuminata)

Abstract

The respiration rate of fruits is influenced by the temperature and relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air. This research aims to determine the effect of storage air temperature and RH on the respiration rate of the coated banana. In this work, the bananas were coated with a combination of sago starch and cellulose nanofiber then was measured the respiration rate. The respiration rate was investigated using a closed system at three different temperatures namely 10oC, 17.5o, and 27oC, and three levels of RH that are about 70%, 80%, and 90% during 10 days of storage. Changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations were measured daily. The respiration rates of the coated banana (O2 consumption (RO2) and CO2 production (RCO2)) and the RQ value was influenced by storage time, storage temperature, and the interaction of those two factors. RH was found to have no significant effect on these three parameters. The Arrhenius equation was found to be suitable for the RO2 and RCO2 model and can be used to predict RO2 or RCO2 of the coated banana under real conditions for RH ranging from 70% to 90% and storage temperature ranging from 10oC to 27oC.