Article (Scientific journals)
Three-dimensional gas exchange pathways in pome fruit characterized by synchrotron x-ray computed tomography.
Verboven, Pieter; Kerckhofs, Greet; Mebatsion, Hibru Kelemu et al.
2008In Plant Physiology, 147 (2), p. 518-27
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Keywords :
Malus/chemistry; Pyrus/chemistry; Synchrotrons; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Abstract :
[en] Our understanding of the gas exchange mechanisms in plant organs critically depends on insights in the three-dimensional (3-D) structural arrangement of cells and voids. Using synchrotron radiation x-ray tomography, we obtained for the first time high-contrast 3-D absorption images of in vivo fruit tissues of high moisture content at 1.4-microm resolution and 3-D phase contrast images of cell assemblies at a resolution as low as 0.7 microm, enabling visualization of individual cell morphology, cell walls, and entire void networks that were previously unknown. Intercellular spaces were always clear of water. The apple (Malus domestica) cortex contains considerably larger parenchyma cells and voids than pear (Pyrus communis) parenchyma. Voids in apple often are larger than the surrounding cells and some cells are not connected to void spaces. The main voids in apple stretch hundreds of micrometers but are disconnected. Voids in pear cortex tissue are always smaller than parenchyma cells, but each cell is surrounded by a tight and continuous network of voids, except near brachyssclereid groups. Vascular and dermal tissues were also measured. The visualized network architecture was consistent over different picking dates and shelf life. The differences in void fraction (5.1% for pear cortex and 23.0% for apple cortex) and in gas network architecture helps explain the ability of tissues to facilitate or impede gas exchange. Structural changes and anisotropy of tissues may eventually lead to physiological disorders. A combined tomography and internal gas analysis during growth are needed to make progress on the understanding of void formation in fruit.
Disciplines :
Food science
Author, co-author :
Verboven, Pieter
Kerckhofs, Greet ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Génie biomécanique
Mebatsion, Hibru Kelemu
Ho, Quang Tri
Temst, Kristiaan
Wevers, Martine
Cloetens, Peter
Nicolai, Bart M.
Language :
English
Title :
Three-dimensional gas exchange pathways in pome fruit characterized by synchrotron x-ray computed tomography.
Publication date :
2008
Journal title :
Plant Physiology
ISSN :
0032-0889
eISSN :
1532-2548
Publisher :
American Society of Plant Biologists, United States - Maryland
Volume :
147
Issue :
2
Pages :
518-27
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 14 November 2013

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