Respiration Quotient of Moringa Pods (PKM-1) at Different Temperatures

The respiration rate of moringa pods stored at 14, 21 and 28p C with three products to free volume ratios viz., 1: 20, 1: 10 and 1: 5 were determined experimentally in a closed system of PVC chamber. Air tight PVC chambers of size (70 x 15cm) to hold one kg of moringa (PKM-1) were used to study the respiration rate at three temperatures namely 14, 21 and 28°C. Respiration quotient is calculated based on the of amount of CO₂ released to O₂ consumed by the moringa pods. Generally there was progressive reduction of O₂concentration and a steady increase in CO₂ concentration, in all tests. The average respiration quotient at 14p C was found to be 0.98, 1.272 and 1.33 for 1: 20, 1: 10 and 1: 5 free volume of moringa pods respectively. For all the free volume of moringa pods, the substrate utilized for respiration was carbohydrates and lipids, the RQ is always lower than unity.