Respiration rate model and modified atmosphere packaging of fresh cauliflower

In the first part, the respiration rate of fresh cauliflower was measured in sealed containers at different temperatures. Art enzymatic reaction was then used to model the respiration activity as a function of gas concentrations and temperature. An Arrhenius relationship was used in the model to account for the effects of temperature. Predictions derived from the model were in good agreement with the experimental data. In the second part, the ability of air-diffusion channels to maintain the desired modified atmosphere (MA) compositions (O-2: 2.5-3.5%; CO2: 0%) in storage chambers was assessed. Fresh cauliflowers were stored at 2.5 degrees C for 21 days in laboratory chambers equipped with channels (D = 2e-3 m) of 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 1 m in length, and for 33 days in chambers equipped with 0, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.25 m diffusion channels. The results have indicated that diffusion channels can be used to maintain MA conditions and that they could accommodate for some fluctuations in the air temperature. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.