Cell Structure and Sugar and Acid Contents in the Arils of Developing Pomegranate Fruit

Abstract

The growth curves of the developing pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit (diam.) and seed (FW) display a single sigmoid pattern. The number of seeds in fruit varied from 100- 500, and the relationship between fruit diameter and seed number correlated significantly. The outer layer of testa or aril was reconfirmed to consist of a single, huge, elongated cell that extended to more than 2.3 mm. Glucose and fructose were the main sugars in the juice of the edible portion. The titratable acid content decreased from 9.5% to 4.0% as the fruit matured and accumulated sugars.