Mathematical Model for Perforation Effect on Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Shelled Pea

A mathematical model was developed for shelled pea packaged in simulated modified atmosphere packages of LD-100 (low density polyethylene of 100 gauge, 25 micron thick, to evaluate the effect of perforation level on the concentrations of O₂ and CO₂ and levels of relative humidity inside the package. Experiments were carried out to verify the model results. Perforations resulted in reducing the steady state times of O₂ and CO₂, and the effect was more pronounced on O₂. The increase in number of perforations and decrease in ambient relative humidity predicted a little decrease in relative humidity within the package but it remained above 98 per cent. A perforation area of 6.51 x 10⁻² % was predicted to give optimum in-package environment for shelled pea.