Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles
Published on: March 30, 2012
The role of cuticle in fruit shelf-life
Rafael Fernández-Muñoz1, Antonio Heredia2, Eva Domínguez1
1Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora, Universidad de Málaga - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Departamento de Mejora Genética y Biotecnología, Estación Experimental La Mayora, Algarrobo-Costa, E-29750 Málaga, Spain.
Abstract:
Ensuring the availability of high-quality fresh fruits requires the development of strategies to maintain prolonged shelf-life. The plant cuticle is a modification of the outer epidermal cell wall and, as such, acts as a barrier with the environment. Understanding how the cuticle naturally changes during postharvest is crucial to address the potential effect of different storage conditions on the cuticle biophysical properties. The impact of different cuticle traits in fruit water loss, its relevance in several fruit-skin disorders, and its participation in postharvest decay caused by pathogens are discussed. Future challenges to study in vivo the physicochemical properties of the cuticle are also addressed.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Plant Diversity
Fruit Development, Structure, and Function
Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

