2.2.2. Respiration Rate and Ethylene Production

Figure 3 presents the effects of the EP application (vapor and dipping) on tomato's respiration rate and ethylene production. The vapor application of 0.8% EP and chlorine treatment increased respiration rate on the seventh day of storage (7.14 mL CO2 kg−<sup>1</sup> h<sup>−</sup>1) and this was evident for the chlorine application even at the last day of storage (Figure 3A). Interestingly, dipping application did not significantly affect tomato's respiration rate (*p* > 0.05) (Figure 3B). Ethylene production was increased on the 7th day of storage with EP (0.4% and 0.8%) vapor application, but this was not persistent after 14 days of storage (Figure 3C). Indeed, dipping application with chlorine increased ethylene production on the 7th day, while both EP and chlorine had increased ethylene levels on the last day of storage, compared to the control (Figure 3D).

**Figure 3.** Effects of vapor (**A**,**C**) or dipping (**B**,**D**) application with eco-product (EP) at different concentrations (0%, 0.4% and 0.8%), chlorine (0.02%) or control (application of water) on respiration rate (mL CO2 kg−<sup>1</sup> Fw h<sup>−</sup>1) and ethylene production (μL kg−<sup>1</sup> Fw h<sup>−</sup>1) of tomato fruits stored up to 14 days at 11 ◦C. In each day, means (±SE) followed by different Latin letters significantly differ according to Duncan's MRT (*p* = 0.05). ns: not significant.
