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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
15:53
Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles
Published on: March 30, 2012
17.6K
Evidence for a radial strain gradient in apple fruit cuticles
Bishnu Prasad Khanal1, Moritz Knoche, Sara Bußler
1Institute for Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, 30419, Hannover, Germany.
Planta
|August 21, 2014
Summary
Apple fruit cuticles have higher strain on the outer side than the inner side. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) treatment on the inner surface significantly released this strain after wax extraction.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Biophysics
- Materials science
Background:
- The apple fruit cuticle plays a crucial role in plant protection.
- Understanding the mechanical properties of the cuticle, such as strain distribution, is essential for agricultural applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the strain gradient within the apple fruit cuticle.
- To determine the effect of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) treatment on strain release.
Main Methods:
- Isolated cuticular membranes (CM) from mature apple fruit were treated with CAPP on either the outer or inner surface.
- Strain release was quantified by measuring the decrease in CM disc area after wax extraction.
- Changes in CM mass and surface area were analyzed in relation to CAPP treatment duration.
Main Results:
- CAPP treatment did not alter CM surface area before wax extraction.
- Wax extraction induced strain release in CMs.
- Strain release increased with CAPP duration on the inner surface, reaching 47.7% after 20 min.
- Strain release on the outer surface was independent of CAPP duration, averaging 12.1%.
Conclusions:
- A significant strain gradient exists between the outer (strained) and inner (unstrained) sides of the apple fruit cuticle.
- CAPP treatment, particularly on the inner surface, effectively releases cuticle strain after wax removal.
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