This research characterized changes in the cell wall components in ‘Galia’, hybrid Nun 1380 melons during maturation. Fruits were evaluated at five maturation stages (I-V). Cell wall material and their fractions were determined by gravimetry method. Neutral sugars in hemicellulosic fraction and cellulosic residue, uronics acids content in pectic fraction, degree of esterification, total calcium and bound calcium were analyzed. The pectic fraction was analyzed by gel chromatography and neutral-sugars in hemicellulosic fraction were analyzed by gas chromatography. Minimum variation during maturation was observed in the cell wall material. Neutral sugars (rhamnose, arabinose and glucose) and uronics acids contents decreased following maturation. No variation in the degree of esterification in pectic substances and bound calcium was observed. Gel chromatography did not reveal dispolymerization in pectic substances.
Cucumis melo; cell wall; pectic substances; degree esterification
