Modeling respiration–transpiration in a modified atmosphere packaging system containing blueberry Original Research Article

A respiration–transpiration model was developed by applying simultaneous heat and mass transfer principles along with known physiological behavior for the design of MAP systems containing fresh produce. The model equations were solved numerically using Adams–Moulton method to predict gas compositions, RH, and temperature in model packages. The applicability of the model to packages containing blueberry at 15 and 25 °C was successfully verified using different types of packaging films. The difference between the experimental and predicted headspace gas composition was less than 1%. The predicted and experimental values were in agreement for RH (within 2%) and temperature (within 0.5 °C).