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Published on: August 17, 2009
Suberin production by isolated tomato fruit protoplasts
G S Rao1, J H Willison, W M Ratnayake
1Biology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4J1 Canada.
Plant Physiology
|July 1, 1984
Summary
Researchers identified suberin in tomato fruit walls. Analysis of depolymerized extracts revealed specific fatty acids, alcohols, and esters, confirming suberin's presence and composition.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Plant cell walls play crucial roles in fruit development and protection.
- Suberin is a complex biopolymer found in plant tissues, contributing to barrier functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the multilamellar wall component from tomato fruit locule tissue.
- To identify the chemical constituents of this wall material to confirm the presence of suberin.
Main Methods:
- Protoplasts were isolated from tomato locule tissue.
- The secreted multilamellar wall was purified and depolymerized using BF(3)-methanol.
- Extracts were analyzed using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC).
- Quantification was performed using an Iatroscan TLC-flame ionization detection system.
Main Results:
- TLC analysis revealed the presence of fatty acid methyl esters, fatty alcohols, dicarboxylic acid dimethyl esters, and omega-hydroxy acid methyl esters.
- GC analysis identified and quantified the different chain lengths of these components.
- The chemical profile strongly indicated the presence of suberin.
Conclusions:
- The multilamellar wall secreted by tomato fruit protoplasts is composed of suberin.
- This study provides detailed chemical characterization of suberin from tomato fruit tissue.
