Cell wall metabolism during fruit ripening and plant interactions with pathogens and insects

CELORIO M; VICENTE AR; GREVE C; ROPER C; LABAVITCH JML

Davis California USA

Simposio; University of California Plant Sciences Symposium; 2005

The plant cell wall can be considered to be a composite fabric that has been woven from many kinds of thread.  Most of these “threads” are polysaccharides whose metabolism plays key roles in controlling cell growth and shape change, organ abscission, and the softening of fruits that is linked with ripening.  An understanding of the specific wall components that determine cell wall elasticity and plasticity and the proteins that control the disassembly of those wall components will be useful in maintaining fruit integrity during postharvest handling and enhancing the texture attributes of both fresh fruits and processed fruit products.