DEMONSTRATION USING FTIR SPECTROSCOPY OF THE EFFECT OF A GAMMA-IRRADIATION ON THE FORMATION OF THE CHERRY TOMATO FRUIT CUTICLE

The effects of a gamma irradiation of mature-green cherry tomato fruit s, on cuticle formation and composition during the ripening process, w ere investigated using isolated cuticles. The production of wax and cu tin (in mg/cm2) in control fruits increased during the considered peri od (18 days). Cuticles isolated 18 days after the irradiation had abou t the same wax content, on a surface basis, as control cuticles but a much lower cutin content. Analysis of cuticles using FTIR spectroscopy has allowed to differentiate cuticles from control and irradiated fru its. Major changes were revealed during cuticle development of control fruits. Two absorption bands appeared at 1 603 and 834 cm-1 which may be ascribed to phenolic compounds. Conversely, cuticles isolated from irradiated fruits exhibited unchanged spectra. These results indicate that polymer components biosynthesis is severely affected by gamma ir radiation. A