Question

What causes tomatoes to ripen much more slowly in a refrigerator than they do if left on a table at room temperature?

Answer 1

tomatoes need  sunlight or heat to ripen. the lower the temperature the more reduction done to the ripening enzymes.

Answer 2

Tomatoes need some kind of sunlight or heat to ripen, the humidity speeds up the process of it's ripening, the lower the temperature the more reduction done to the ripening enzymes.