Comparison of the physicochemical quality of Colombian 'Hass' avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill) with international quality standards

'Hass' avocado is one of the most consumed fruits around the world. Colombia has started to export this fruit under fresh conditions. In order to standardize post-harvest quality and reduce losses and heterogeneity in the product, it is important to establish physicochemical parameters for avocado at harvest maturity (HM) and consumer maturity (CM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of 'Hass' avocado produced in Colombia and compare them to international standards. Fruits were harvested from 4 productive zones during the first semester of the year in Colombia. Samples were selected based on export standards. The fruit mass and equatorial diameter was determined after harvest. The dry matter (DM), oil content (OC), firmness and pH were characterized at HM and at CM after 15 days. For CM avocados were stored at 20°C and 90% relative humidity. The results showed that the avocado fruit mass was between 170 and 210 g, a medium size as compared to international standards. The maturity index of avocado at HM and CM had high variability, which differed from the international quality standards. The HM firmness results showed values above 100 N and at CM below 15 N.