Differences in the cell morphology and microfracture behaviour of tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum L.) tissues during ripening

• Published in: Postharvest biology and technology 2020-06, Vol.164, p.111182, Article 111182
• Main Authors: Liu, Zhengguang, Li, Zhiguo, Yue, Tianli, Diels, Elien, Yang, Yougang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D cell morphology; Cell morphology; Cell size; Cell wall thickness; Cell walls; Computer simulation; Crack propagation; Cytology; Failure modes; Fruits; Image transmission; Mechanical damage; Microfailure behaviour; Microfracture; Morphology; Ripeness; Ripening; Rupture; Septum; Solanum lycopersicum; Tissues; Tomato fruit; Tomatoes; Transmission electron microscopy; Wall thickness
• ISSN: 0925-5214; 1873-2356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2020.111182

[Display omitted] •Cell morphology and wall thickness variations within a fruit were fully illustrated.•Cell wall thickness was closely associated with fruit ripeness and type of tissues.•Tissue microfailure mode was assessed by cell rupture rate in the crack growth path.•Fruit tissues fail in shear/tension with cells rupture and separation as failure mode.•The cell rupture rate depends on the fruit ripeness stage and the type of tissues. Fresh tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is very susceptible to microdamage during post-harvest handling. This study reveals the differences in 3D cell morphology (e.g., shape, size, arrangement, and wall thickness) and microfailure behaviour of different tissues in the tomato fruit. At each ripening stage, the 3D shape, size and arrangement of cells in different tissues of a tomato fruit were investigated based on two microscopic orthogonal images. Additionally, the cell wall thickness was determined using transmission electron microscopy, and the microfailure mode of each tissue under shear and tension was quantitatively assessed based on the cell rupture rate in the crack growth path. The cells in different tissues of a tomato fruit showed obvious differences in the 3D shape and growth direction. Septa cells had the largest sizes. Cell wall thickness was closely associated with fruit ripeness and tissue type. Epidermal cell walls in the pink exocarp were the thickest compared with the other tissue cell walls. The cell rupture rate was dependent on the fruit ripening stage, the type of tissue and the direction/mode of the applied force (p