Effects of fruit maturity on watermelon ultrastructure and intracellular lycopene distribution.
This study employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to conduct research on the ultrastructure of watermelon (cultivar: Hazera SW1) mesocarp samples of different maturities. Micrographs from immature fruit showed incompletely formed chromoplasts. A combination of distinct pigment-bearing chromoplasts and incompletely formed chromoplasts was observed in mature watermelon micrographs. Electron micrographs showed chromoplasts changing from a less organized globular form in immature to a symmetrical form in mature to an asymmetrical form in overmature watermelons. This study furthers our understanding of watermelon physiology and the effect of maturity on compartmentalization of lycopene.
Bangalore
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General Mills Inc., Meals Div., P.O. Box 9452, Minneapolis, MN 55440, USA.
McGlynn
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Scott
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D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis*; D029773:Citrullus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005524:Food Technology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000077276:Lycopene; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods*
D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene