Prediction Equations for Gases in Flexible Modified-Atmosphere Packages of Respiring Produce are Different Than Those for Rigid Packages

Total pressure generally decreases in a sealed rigid package containing respiring produce, whereas total pressure is essentially constant and free volume decreases in a flexible package. We found that predicted O₂, CO₂, and N₂ partial pressures were different for similarly designed (same surface area, thickness, film permeabilities and produce mass) flexible and rigid packages at “quasi steady state” and steady state, respectively. Predicted O₂ and CO₂ partial pressures were slightly higher in a flexible package than in a rigid package and were a function of the film permeability ratio of N₂ to O₂ and of CO₂ to O₂. They also related to the ratio of product CO₂ production rate to O₂ uptake rate, target steady-state O₂ partial pressure, and respiration characteristics. Differences were slight for films such as low-density polyethylene.