Browned skin becomes weak and is easily sloughed off in later stages of senescence. Often associated with core breakdown. Decay may follow secondarily. Taste and odor of the fruit are very disagreeable even before discoloration begins. Fruit have reached the end of their postharvest life.
Tissue begins to die and fermentative metabolism occurs resulting in alcoholic odor and off-flavors.
Avoid storing the fruit beyond its postharvest life. Controlled atmosphere storage can extend the postharvest life of the fruit up to twice that achievable in air storage. Watch for change in fruit color from green to yellow. Yellowing is an indication that the fruit's storage life is nearing the end. Agriculture Handbook No. 376.