Oxygen uptake models for horticultural commodities were constructed based on the Langmuir adsorption theory, mechanism of depression of respiration caused by CO₂ and transition state theory in order to design modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems. To examine the usefulness of the models, O₂ uptake rate data fro the commodities were applied to the models. The models were found to be suitable for describing the respiration of several kinds of commodities. Mathematical analysis of MAP systems for shredded lettuce and shredded cabbage was conducted using the proposed rate equations and mass balance equations. The simulated results were in agreement with the experimental date. The O₂ uptake models were found to be suitable for the design of the MAP systems.