Fruit waxing

Fruit waxing is the process of covering fruits (and in some cases vegetables) with artificial waxing material. Natural wax is removed first, usually by washing. Waxing materials may be either natural or petroleum-based.

The primary reasons for waxing are to prevent water loss (making up for the removal in washing of the natural waxes in fruits that have them, particularly citrus but also, for example, apples[1]) and thus retard shrinkage and spoilage, and to improve appearance.[2] Dyes may be added to further enhance appearance,[3] and sometimes fungicides.[4] Fruits were waxed to cause fermentation as early as the 12th or the 13th century; commercial producers began waxing citrus to extend shelf life in the 1920s and 1930s. Aesthetics—consumer preference for shiny fruit—has since become the main reason.[1][4] In addition to fruit, some vegetables can usefully be waxed, such as cassava;[5] vegetables commonly waxed include cucumbers, swedes or rutabagas and green tomatoes.[6] A distinction may be made between storage wax, pack-out wax (for immediate sale) and high-shine wax (for optimum attractiveness).[7]

The waxing materials used depend to some extent on regulations in the country of production and/or export; both natural waxes (sugar-cane, carnauba, shellac, or resin)[3] or petroleum-based waxes (usually proprietary formulae)[2] are used. Wax may be applied in a volatile petroleum-based solvent but is now more commonly applied via a water-based emulsion.[4] Blended paraffin waxes applied as an oil or paste are often used on vegetables.[7] Brand names for waxes include Tal-Prolong, Semper-fresh, Frutox, Waxol, Fruit, vegetable kleen, Nipro Fresh[8][9] and Decco Luster.[10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 P. E. Kolattukudy, "Natural Waxes on Fruits", Post Harvest Pomology Newsletter 2.2 (1984), repr. Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, March 2003 (pdf)
  2. 1 2 Leo J. Klotz, Walter Reuther, E. Clair Calavan, Glenn E. Carman, et al., The Citrus Industry Volume 5 Crop Protection, Postharvest Technology, and Early History of Citrus Research in California, ANR publications (University of California, Oakland) 3326, rev. ed. Berkeley: University of California, 1989, p. 182.
  3. 1 2 Keith Thompson, Fruit and Vegetables: Harvesting, Handling and Storage, [2nd ed. of Postharvest Technology of Fruits and Vegetables] Oxford: Blackwell / Ames, Iowa: Iowa State, 2003, ISBN 9781405106191, p. 287.
  4. 1 2 3 Frank D. Gunstone and Fred B. Padley, Lipid Technologies and Applications, New York: Dekker, 1997, p. 463.
  5. ↑ Thompson, p. 188.
  6. ↑ John M. Krochta, Elizabeth A. Baldwin and Myrna O. Nisperos-Carriedo, Eds., Edible Coatings and Films to Improve Food Quality, Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Technomic, 1994, ISBN 9781566761130, p. 37.
  7. 1 2 L. R. Verma and V. K. Joshi, Postharvest Technology of Fruits and Vegetables: Handling, Processing, Fermentation, and Waste Management, Volume 1 General Concepts and Principles, New Delhi: Indus, 2000, ISBN 9788173871085, p. 120.
  8. ↑ "POSTHARVEST ROTTING, QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF APPLE AS AFFECTED BY CHEMICALS, GA TREATMENT AND PACKAGING". www.actahort.org. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  9. ↑ "INCIDENCE OF DRY ROT OF POMEGRANATE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH AND ITS MANAGEMENT". www.actahort.org. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  10. ↑ Verma and Joshi, p. 121.

Further reading

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