Processing & Preservation
Respiration rate
The rate at which harvested produce consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, heat and water.
Real-life application
Why some vegetables like spinach wilt and spoil within a day at room temperature while others like potatoes last for months.
Related terms
Climacteric fruit
Processing & PreservationFruit showing a sharp rise in respiration and ethylene production at the onset of ripening — banana, mango, apple, tomato — and able to ripen after harvest.
Controlled atmosphere storage
Processing & PreservationBulk storage in which gas composition is continuously monitored and actively corrected, used mainly for fruit such as apples.
Q10
Quality & SensoryThe factor by which a reaction rate changes for a 10 °C rise in temperature.
Know the terms? Put them to the test.
Definitions only get you so far. The free General Aptitude test shows you how you handle the real thing under a clock.
Start the free test