title: Effects of fruit maturity on watermelon ultrastructure and intracellular lycopene distribution.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: General Mills Inc., Meals Div., P.O. Box 9452, Minneapolis, MN 55440, USA.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Bangalore
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: McGlynn
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene