RESPIRATION RATE AND HEAT OF RESPIRATION OF SOME FRUITS UNDER CONTROLLED-ATMOSPHERE CONDITIONS

Studies were conducted on green banana, mango and orange (mosumbi) to measure the rate of respiration and determine the heat of respiration at storage temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30-degrees-C maintaining CO2 and O2 concentrations of 5 and 5%, 5 and 10%, 5 and 15%, 10 and 5%, 10 and 10%, 10 and 15%, 15 and 5%, 15 and 10%, and 15 and 15% for each temperature. The respiration rate and heat of respiration reduCed with an increase in CO2 concentration and decrease in 02 level and storage temperature. Results revealed that the rate of respiration and also the heat of respiration varied exponentially with temperature for various concentrations Of CO2 and O2.