| Summary: | Optimization for the designing of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for broccoli was made by the MAP-DESIGN software (author’s own code). The software is capable of dealing with all parameters required for the designing of MAP for fresh produce, namely packaging materials, package dimensions, storage conditions, and plant respiratory models. Computational algorithms were carefully designed based upon widely-used theories of living plant respiration, gas permeability through packaging film, and heat transfer. Here, the effect of respiration models on the variation of shelf life estimation was evaluated by using broccoli in the MAP as the product sample. The computational results of product shelf life showed that the choice of respiration models, including a transition state model and an enzyme kinetic model, had a strong impact on the accuracy of shelf life estimation. A shelf life prediction of broccoli in MAP also revealed that the package dimension had little effect on time to reach steady-state condition, but had a significant effect on the level of O2 remaining inside the package at equilibrium. A validity of shelf life prediction was tested against the previous experimental data of broccoli shelf life in a selected MAP.
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