HortScience · 1975 · 37 citations · 0 references
AgriculturePlant BiologyPlant SciencesCrop PhysiologyFruit SciencePlant BiochemistryFruit BiochemistryFruit Crop PhysiologyFruit PhysiologyFruit RipeningPlant EnzymesRipening PhysiologyBiochemical Changes During RipeningFruit Softening BiochemistryFruit Softening EnzymesFruit Softening MechanismsPectin MetabolismPectinase EnzymesPectinolytic ActivityPolygalacturonase Activity
Abstract Pectinesterase (PE), polygalacturonase (PG), and cellulase (Cx form) activities and softening of 4 physiological maturities were compared in normal and rin tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mil cv. Rutgers). PG, PE, and Cx-cellulase activities increased during ripening of normal fruits. In rin fruits, PG activity was not detected, PE activity remained relatively constant, and Cxcellulase activity increased during ripening. The lack of softening in rin fruits appears to be associated with the lack of PG activity.