A Study of the Surface Wax Deposits on Apple Fruit

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Abstract
Optical and electron micrographs of surface wax deposits on 4 varieties show varietal differences. In addition to normal structure a lath-like wax can be seen in the fine cuticle cracks that are plentiful on Golden Delicious and sparse on other varieties; another form of wax is always at right angles to abrasion marks on the fruit and is present on all varieties. The removal of surface wax by solvents exposes a cuticle structure which is related to the deposits and differs in some varieties. The case of removal of surface wax by wiping differs with variety, Granny Smith wax being much easier to shift than Golden Delicious. When surface deposits are removed by any method the apples lose moisture at a faster rate.