548 Produce Degradation: Reaction Pathways and their Prevention
(Figure 18.12c). In the aged sample, it appeared as if the wax had “bloomed” or
migrated on the fruit surface since there was a roughened surface that did not appear
to be due to microbial growth (Figure 18.12d). The interiors of the lenticels of the
fresh pear fruit had limited fungal growth (Figure 18.12e). In the aged fruit, the
fungal growth in the lenticels was excessive, the fungus had sporulated, and the
underlying layers of wax and epidermal cells had been completely destroyed. Cells
of the outer pericarp tissue were exposed (Figure 18.12f). The fresh sample had
FIGURE 18.12 (See caption on opposite page)