Nonlinear Regression and Michaelis‐Menten Approaches for Modeling Respiration Dynamics of Tomato Under Hermetic Storage Condition

ABSTRACT The respiration rate (RR) of fresh produce is a critical factor influencing its postharvest quality and shelf life. For the effective design of any storage system, it is essential to understand the impact of storage temperature and duration on respiration dynamics. This study investigates the respiratory behavior of fresh tomato (cv. Avinash ‐2) at five different temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, and 35°C) using the hermetic storage system. The experimental data were utilized to develop predictive mathematical models, including nonlinear regression function (RF) and enzyme kinetics based Michaelis–Menten (MM) model. Model validation was conducted at 17°C storage temperature, demonstrating a strong correlation between predicted and observed RR. Among the two models, the MM model exhibited superior predictive accuracy, making it a reliable tool for forecasting RR in tomatoes under different storage conditions. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for optimizing storage strategies, reducing postharvest losses, and improving fresh produce supply chain management.