Factor analysis on respiration of cucumber fruits under unsteady gas conditions

In order to clarify the respiratory responses to unsteady gas conditions during commercial distribution, the respiration rate of two types of cucumber fruits (Cucumis sativus L. ) was measured by the flexible pouch methods at 10, 15 and 20°C. The effecting of factors on the respiration and the condition inducing anaerobic respiration were analyzed. The result indicated that the respiration rate of cucumber fruits was mainly influenced by the O₂ concentration. It was also shown that the extinction point could be obtained from the intersection of an aerobic and anaerobic respiration by plotting the relationship between O₂ concentration and the rate of control of respiration (In (R/R₂₀)). Furthermore, it was indicated that the rate of control of respiration was changed with the temperature.