¹H-NMR Imaging of Tomato Fruits

Abstract

The distribution and the relaxation times of water in tomato fruits were measured by ¹H-NMR imaging with a resolution of 0.2 × 0.2 mm² area and 1 mm thickness. Water with a long relaxation time was preferentially accumulated in seeds and seed envelopes in immature green fruit. The total amount of water increased in mature red fruit, where water with a long relaxation time was localized in outer walls of the pericarp and water with a shorter relaxation time was distributed throughout all tissues except for seeds and seed envelopes. ¹H-NMR imaging apparently distinguished the physiological variations among different types of tissues and the physiological changes during maturation of tomato fruit.