Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles
Published on: March 30, 2012
An Apparent Cellulase Complex in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Fruit
1Division of Plant Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506.
Abstract:
Four enzyme-containing fractions were separated by ammonium sulfate fractionation of 2-day, postbreaker tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Manhattan). The pH optima and substrate specificities are reported. The enzymes were identified as a nonspecific beta-glucosidase, an exo-beta-1,4-glucanase, and two endocellulases. Both endocellulase fractions were able to catalyze the hydrolysis of various insoluble cellulose materials.Together, the enzymes studies are capable of completely degrading insoluble cellulose to short chain cellodextrins and glucose. Ripening tomato fruit apears to contain a complex of cellulases similar to that of cellulolytic bacteria and fungi.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Plant Cell Wall
Fruit Development, Structure, and Function
Lysosomes
Plant Cell Wall
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition

