Fruit softening, which is a major determinant of shelf life and commercial value, is the
consequence of multiple cellular processes, including extensive remodeling of cell wall …

This article focuses on the molecular and hormonal mechanisms underlying the control of
fleshy fruit ripening and quality. Recent research on tomato shows that ethylene, acting …

Controlling the rate of softening to extend shelf life was a key target for researchers
engineering genetically modified (GM) tomatoes in the 1990s, but only modest …

Imported from the Andean region to Europe in the 16th century, today tomato is widespread
throughout the world and represents the most economically important vegetable crop …

Pectin is a family of complex polysaccharides present in all plant primary cell walls. The
complicated structure of the pectic polysaccharides, and the retention by plants of the large …

Excessive softening is the main factor limiting fruit shelf life and storage. Transgenic plants
modified in the expression of cell wall modifying proteins have been used to investigate the …

Pectin is a major component of primary cell walls of all land plants and encompasses a
range of galacturonic acid-rich polysaccharides. Three major pectic polysaccharides …

Elucidating the mechanisms involved in ripening of climacteric fruit and the role that
ethylene plays in the process are key to understanding fruit production and quality. In this …

Pectate lyase genes have been documented as excellent candidates for improvement of fruit
firmness. However, implementation of pectate lyase in regulating fruit postharvest …

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important crop with an economic value in the
tens of billions of dollars, and a significant supplier of essential vitamins, minerals, and …