Effects of surface coatings on gas exchange
characteristics of 'Hass' avocados (Persea
americana Mill.) were used to select a suitable coating
and to optimise its concentration for use on avocado
fruit at 20°C, 60% relative humidity. Of six
different surface coatings used, "Avocado wax" provided
the greatest level of benefit (reduction in mass
loss and enhanced sheen) for a given level of risk
(modification of internal oxygen and carbon dioxide
partial pressures). At the other extreme, 2%
carboxymethylcellulose provided no benefit but
substantially increased risk of fermentation. "Apple
clear" treated fruit had lowest rates of mass loss, but
had poor visual quality. Of the Avocado wax concentrations
assessed, 11% was the optimum. Concentrations
greater than this provided marginal
further gains in the reduction of mass loss, but imposed
unacceptable levels of risk of anaerobiosis in
the fruit. A packhouse trial confirmed this concentration
as optimum, but achieved somewhat lower
levels of benefit