Introduction. The postharvest life of `Pollock' avocado, a popular
cultivar grown in Sri Lanka, is 7-10 d at room temperature. A short postharvest life
limits its export volume by sea freight. Materials and methods. Pollock avocado fruit
were packaged in 0.05 mm thick low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags to create a
modified atmosphere (MA), and they were stored at 12 °C and 94% relative humidity.
The effect of the potassium permanganate, an ethylene absorber, and of the granular
charcoal, a carbon dioxide absorber, on modifying the in-package atmosphere was
tested. During storage, carbon dioxide, oxygen and ethylene contents were measured.
The packages were opened after MA storage, and the fruit ripened naturally under
ambient conditions. The weight loss, changes in firmness, total soluble solids (TSS),
pulp color, visual quality rating (VQR), chilling injury index (CI) and disease index
(DI) during or after storage were determined. Results. Compared with the samples
packaged without absorbers, those packaged with absorbers had significantly lower
carbon dioxide and ethylene contents. MA packaging was effective in extending the
postharvest life of Pollock avocado up to 17 d. Inclusion of absorbers further extended
the postharvest life up to 29 d. Firmness, TSS, pulp color, VQR, CI and DI of the ripened
fruits were not significantly affected by the MA conditions. Discussion. The MA
conditions did not alter the ripening process and were successful in preventing the
chilling injury and diseases. Packaging of Pollock avocado in 0.05 mm LDPE bags at
1:1 surface to weight ratio (cm$^2\cdot$g-1) with ethylene and carbon dioxide absorbers
and storing at 12 °C and 94% relative humidity can be recommended to extend their
storage life up to 29 d.