556 Produce Degradation: Reaction Pathways and their Prevention
no apparent stomata. During aging, a soft rot appeared and revealed cracking (Figure
18.18b), damage (Figure 18.18c), and extensive fungal growth (Figure 18.18d).
A number of malformations may result during the growing of tomatoes from
stress to the plant [69,70].The fresh tomato fruit interior has thin epidermal and
exocarp layers with large parenchyma making up the mesocarp (Figure 18.19a). In
the region of the soft rot, the epidermis, exocarp, and first few layers of the mesocarp
are crushed (Figure 18.19b) and there is some further damage in the outer mesocarp
FIGURE 18.17Scanning electron micrographs of banana. (a) Fresh banana showing starch
granules. (b) Aged banana showing the same type of cells without starch granules. Magnifi-
cation bars: a, b, 50 μm.
FIGURE 18.18Scanning electron micrographs of aged tomato skin. (a) Normal dimpled
surface with some bubbling and fungal growth. (b) Cracks in the cuticle and epidermis. (c)
Damaged area and some cracks. (d) Fungal growth on the surface and into cracks. Magnifi-
cation bars: a, d, 200 μm; b, 100 μm; c, 50 μm.