A Mathematical Model of the Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) System for the Gas Transmission Rate of Fruit Produce

Li Li¹, Xi-Hong Li¹* and Zhao-Jun Ban<sup>2

1</sup>Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
²Jinan Fruit Research Institute, All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, Shandong 250014, PR China

Article history:
Received November 18, 2008
Accepted November 25, 2009

Key words:
MAP, mathematical model, gas transmission rate, shelf-life of fruit

Summary:
A mathematical model to predict oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour exchanges in non-perforated and micro-perforated modified atmosphere packaging films has successfully been proposed. The transmission rate of gases was measured for films with thickness of 0.03 and 0.05 mm, perforation diameters of 0.5 and 2.0 mm, and temperatures of 0, 10 and 20 °C. Under most conditions, the increase in temperature and perforation diameter increased the transmission rate of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour, whereas the increase in film thickness decreased the transmission rate of the various gases. Validation of the proposed modified atmosphere packaging model was found to yield good prediction for gas concentrations and percentage losses in the mass of the produce after comparison with the experimental results of modified atmosphere packaging for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum).

*Corresponding author:           This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
                                               ++86 22 6060 1425
                                               ++86 22 6060 1341