Water Activity & Food Packaging

In Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) of fresh fruits and vegetables, what are the primary functional roles of the gas mixture components?

Options:

• (A) Reduced $\text{O}_2$ ($2-5\%$) depresses respiration rate and delays senescence without triggering anaerobic fermentation
• (B) Elevated $\text{CO}_2$ ($3-8\%$) exerts fungistatic action and retards ethylene biosynthesis
• (C) $\text{N}_2$ acts as an inert balance gas to prevent package collapse and pillow the package
• (D) Pure $100\% \text{CO}$ is routinely pumped to prevent oxidation