Abstract
Developing postharvest management techniques using environmentally friendly and non-chemical approaches is key to extending the shelf life of avocados in a safer and health conscious manner. Avocados are prone to postharvest deterioration caused by mechanical damage, chilling injury, soft landing, uneven ripening and decay. Among the different cultivars of avocados commercially grown worldwide, the ‘Hass’ variety continues to be the most predominant due to its nutty flavour and functional properties. Most of the literature on postharvest decay and disorders affecting avocado fruit quality during storage and marketing is dedicated to the Hass avocado. Some of these postharvest problems are unique to the ‘Hass’ avocado can possibly be controlled by simply investing more research into other cultivars. These postharvest losses can be significantly controlled using eco-friendly technologies, such as modified atmosphere, physical heat treatments and most importantly investing in natural biodegradable products with naturally inherent antimicrobial properties. Thus, this review includes the recent research-based information on the use of non-chemical treatments on the improvement of fruit health and quality.
Highlights
The avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is an important sub-tropical climacteric fruit characterised by a green peel and a creamy, buttery pulp
The potential for 1-MCP to delay ripening in green skin cultivar ‘Pollock’ avocado fruit placed under tropical ambient storage conditions was investigated [29]
Postharvest diseases of avocado are commercially controlled by the application of fungicides such as prochloraz; they control infections already established in the surface tissues of produce and protect against infections, which may occur during storage and handling
Summary
The avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is an important sub-tropical climacteric fruit characterised by a green peel and a creamy, buttery pulp. European avocado consumer markets are, Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain and the UK, which import their avocado supplies from South Africa, Israel, Chile and Colombia. To encourage continuous avocado consumption and improve consumer accessibility, retailers have introduced two types of marketing campaign ‘ripe and ready’ to eat fruit on the shelf or ripe at home within five days. To ensure a year-round supply of avocados, European supermarkets source a wide variety of produce with good external and internal qualities from South Africa, Israel, Chile and Columbia. The ‘Hass’ variety makes up South Africa’s largest percentage (40%) of avocado exports and comprises more than 80% of avocado production in the USA and Australia [1,11]. Due to the global popularity of the avocado ‘Hass’ cultivar, it takes centre stage in terms of production volumes due to higher consumer acceptance, market sales and research and development. This review summarises the causes of postharvest quality constraints of avocado and prevention methods safe and environmentally friendly non-chemical strategies based on the published research publications
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