Analisi istochimiche su diverse cultivar di melo conservate in fruttaio

The structure of skin and pulp of apples significantly affects postharvest water loss. We tested the possibility to apply a histological method based on the cryostabilization with ethylen glycol and inclusion in hydrophilic resin for the histological study of pieces of skin and pulp of refrigerator and cellar stored apples. Sections (2,5 micronm) were stained by Toluidine Blue, PAS, and Nile red. The histological analyses allowed to obtain qualitative and quantitative data on variations of cuticular waxes and thickness of cell walls in the different cultivar examined (Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Renetta del Canada, Pomella di Varzi). Moreover, lack of cellular adhesion among the cells of the pulp was observed and it was related to shrivelling of the fruits. Histological results in agreement with agronomic ones show that cellar storage is suitable only for some of the studied cultivars