A tentative mathematical model to describe the evolution of the aerobic and anaerobic respiration rates of golden deliciuos apples with temperature, PO2 and PCO2

A mathematical model describing the evolution of aerobic and anaerobic respiration of Golden Delicious apples stored in refrigerated and controlled atmosphere, as a function of temperature, PO2 and PCO2 is presented and discussed. This paper reports: the hypothesis utilised to formulate the model; the kinetics equations used; the identification of the best values to be assigned to the functional parameters of the mathematical equations introduced; the model validation carried out by using an indipendent experimental data set. Despite the low number of functional parameters utilised, this model appears able to suitably describe the evolution of aerobic respiration and alcoholic fermentation rates of Golden Delicious apples stored at different temperatures, PO2 and PCO2.