Modeling and Prediction of Visual Shelf Life of Minimally Processed Endive

A shelf life plot of cut endive stored under different temperature (1 to 16°C) and gas conditions (air, 11% and 19% CO 2 ) was established by modeling the binary response of a consumer panel against storage time through a (linearized) log function. At the highest and lowest storage temperatures, the effect of the gas mixture on shelf life was negligible (Fisher's Exact test). The models of Thorne and Meffert, Arrhenius and Ratkowsky were evaluated to describe the effects of temperature on shelf life. The model of Thorne and Meffert was validated under dynamic conditions. Differences in predicted and observed shelf life were attributed to unreliability of judgment of visual shelf life.