If a wax
layer is applied, oxygen content of the internal atmosphere will decrease as a function
of thickness of the layer, while carbon dioxide content and anaerobic respiration
will rise (Eaks and Ludi 1960) . As a rule of thumb, when oxygen level drops below
3%, anaerobic respiration will start replacing the Krebs cycle, with the resulting
glycolytic pathway releasing unacceptable flavors and causing other problems,
such as changes in color and texture. High oxygen levels (>8%) and low carbon
dioxide levels (