4. Fruits Flashcards
What is the pericarp?
the part of a fruit that develops from the ovary wall after fertilization. It surrounds and protects the seed(s) and plays a critical role in seed dispersal
exocarp
The outermost layer, forming the skin or peel of the fruit. Provides protection and often contains pigments, waxes, or trichomes.
Ex. The shiny skin of an apple. The tough rind of a watermelon.
mesocarp
The fleshy or fibrous middle layer, which is often the edible part in fleshy fruits. Stores water, sugars, and nutrients.
Ex. The juicy part of a mango or peach. The fibrous layer in a coconut.
endocarp
The innermost layer, often directly surrounding the seed(s). Protects the seed and may be hard or soft depending on the fruit type.
Ex. The hard pit of a cherry or peach. The papery layer surrounding the seeds in an apple.
What is fruit?
a fruit is defined as the mature ovary of a flowering plant, typically containing seeds. Fruits develop after fertilization, though some fruits (e.g., bananas) can form without fertilization, a process known as parthenocarpy.
botanical definition of fruit
Based strictly on plant anatomy; includes many items not considered fruits in a culinary sense. Any structure derived from the ovary and containing seeds is considered a fruit, regardless of its taste or typical culinary use.
simple fruit
Develop from the ovary of a single flower with one pistil (which may have one or multiple carpels).
Ex. Tomato, peach, sunflower, pea
aggregate fruit
Develop from a single flower with multiple ovaries (each ovary forms a small fruitlet, collectively making up the aggregate fruit).
Ex. Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry
multiple fruit
Develop from the ovaries of multiple flowers in a single inflorescence. The fruits fuse together to form a single structure.
Ex. Pineapple, fig, mulberry
accessory fruit
Develop from parts of the flower other than the ovary (e.g., receptacle, sepals). These fruits may include or exclude the ovary in their formation.
Ex. Apple, pear, strawberry, fig
berries
Tomato, grape, blueberry
drupes
Peach, cherry, mango, coconut
pome
Apple, pear, quince
hesperidium
Orange, lemon, grapefruit
pepo
Watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber
What is a dry drupe?
A drupe with a fibrous or woody mesocarp, e.g., coconut.
how do coconuts grow
By germinating from the seed inside the hard endocarp, aided by the fibrous husk for water dispersal and moisture retention.
what is a coir
The fibrous material from the mesocarp of coconuts, widely used in products like ropes and soil conditioners.
what is a parthenocarpic fruit
a fruit that develops without fertilization of the ovary, meaning it contains no seeds. This process, called parthenocarpy, occurs naturally in some plants but can also be induced artificially through hormonal treatments or genetic modification.
dry fruit
Dry fruits are those in which the pericarp (the fruit wall) becomes hard, dry, or papery at maturity. They can be classified based on how they release seeds
dehiscent dry fruit
These fruits split open at maturity to release their seeds. Pea, Poppy, Cotton, Mustard
indehiscent dry fruit
These fruits do not split open at maturity; seeds remain enclosed within the fruit. Sunflower, Corn, Acorn, Maple
follicle
A single carpel fruit that splits open along one seam to release seeds. Ex. Milkweed, Larkspur, Magnolia.
capsule
A fruit formed from multiple carpels that splits open in various ways (valves, pores, or slits). Ex. Poppy, Cotton, Okra.
legume
A fruit that splits along two seams; derived from a single carpel. Ex. Pea, Bean, Lentil, Peanut
silique
A long, slender fruit that splits along two seams, with seeds attached to a central partition. Ex. Mustard, Radish, Cabbage.
achene
A small, one-seeded fruit where the seed is attached to the pericarp at a single point. Ex. Sunflower, Buttercup, Dandelion.
samara
A winged achene; aids in wind dispersal. Ex. Maple, Ash, Elm.
caryopsis
A fruit where the seed is fused with the pericarp. Ex. Corn, Wheat, Rice, Barley.
schizocarp
A fruit that splits into individual single-seeded segments (called mericarps), each containing a seed. Ex. Carrot, Fennel, Dill
true nut
a dry, indehiscent fruit with a hard outer shell that protects a single seed. The seed remains unattached to the outer shell.
not true nut
Nut-like fruits that are not classified as nuts in a botanical sense but are commonly called nuts.
immature ripening stage
The fruit is underdeveloped and growing. Seeds are not viable, and the fruit is not edible.
mature ripening stage
The fruit reaches full size, but it may still be hard and not yet sweet or edible. Seeds are fully developed.
ripe ripening stage
The fruit softens, changes color, and develops sugars, acids, and aroma compounds. Becomes attractive to seed dispersers.
Rotting (Senescence) ripening stage
Overripe fruit undergoes cell breakdown, microbial invasion, and nutrient release. Begins to decompose.
ethylene ripening stage
The primary hormone in climacteric fruits (e.g., bananas, tomatoes). It promotes ripening by regulating enzyme activity for softening, sugar conversion, and pigment changes.
Abscisic Acid (ABA) ripening stage
More significant in non-climacteric fruits (e.g., grapes, citrus). It helps regulate sugar content and stress response.
Post-harvest losses – what causes?
Affects nutrition, food safety, size, shape, color, taste
impacting economic value, marketability, and food security.
-Too much rain/not enough
-Pest
-Temperature
-Harvesting time
-Chemicals
Biological factors involved in deterioration
-Respiration, oxygen is used->carbon dioxide is released
-Crops with low respiratory rates deteriorate more slowly
Controlled atmosphere storage – conditions; what does it do?
Gases are removed or added to create an atmospheric composition around the fruit that is different than air
- Air= 78 N, 21 O, 0.03 CO2
Oxygen is decreased and CO2 is increased
- CO2 is an ethylene antagonist that prevents or delays fruit response to ethylene
