Abstract
In situ, continuous and real-time monitoring of respiration (R) and respiratory quotient (RQ) are crucial for identifying the optimal conditions for the long-term storage of fresh produce. This study reports the application of a gas sensor (RMS88) and a modular respirometer for in situ real-time monitoring of gas concentrations and respiration rates of strawberries during storage in a lab-scale controlled atmosphere chamber (190 L) and of Pinova apples in a commercial storage facility (170 t). The RMS88 consisted of wireless O2 (0% to 25%) and CO2 sensors (0% to 0.5% and 0% to 5%). The modular respirometer (3.3 L for strawberries and 7.4 L for apples) consisted of a leak-proof arrangement with a water-containing base plate and a glass jar on top. Gas concentrations were continuously recorded by the RMS88 at regular intervals of 1 min for strawberries and 5 min for apples and, in real-time, transferred to a terminal program to calculate respiration rates ( and ) and RQ. Respiration measurement was done in cycles of flushing and measurement period. A respiration measurement cycle with a measurement period of 2 h up to 3 h was shown to be useful for strawberries under air at 10 °C. The start of anaerobic respiration of strawberries due to low O2 concentration (1%) could be recorded in real-time. and of Pinova apples were recorded every 5 min during storage and mean values of 1.6 and 2.7 mL kg−1 h−1, respectively, were obtained when controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (2% O2, 1.3% CO2 and 2 °C) were established. The modular respirometer was found to be useful for in situ real-time monitoring of respiration rate during storage of fresh produce and offers great potential to be incorporated into RQ-based dynamic CA storage system.
Highlights
Respiration (R) of fresh fruit and vegetables is an indicator of ongoing metabolic processes after harvest
The respiratory quotient (RQ) is defined as the ratio of the CO2 produced to the O2 consumed by respiration
R and RQ of fresh produce have pronounced influences on postharvest quality and shelf-life and are, key parameters to be controlled for the extension of shelf life
Summary
Respiration (R) of fresh fruit and vegetables is an indicator of ongoing metabolic processes after harvest. The respiratory quotient (RQ) is defined as the ratio of the CO2 produced to the O2 consumed by respiration. R and RQ of fresh produce have pronounced influences on postharvest quality and shelf-life and are, key parameters to be controlled for the extension of shelf life. Quantifying respiration in terms of rates of O2 consumption and CO2 production (RO2 and RCO2 ) is an important and helpful tool for optimising the design of packaging systems and maintaining optimum conditions inside storage systems. To quantify respiration of stored fresh produce, the respective respiration-induced changes in the headspace concentrations of O2 and CO2 is measured over time.
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