Unveiling the compositional remodelling of Arbutus unedo L. fruits during ripening

Arbutus unedo is a Mediterranean shrub or tree that produces edible fruits with promising applications for the food industry and nutraceutical applications. A deep understanding of cell wall structure modifications its components during fruit softening would benefit development new products retail fresh fruits. Aiming to enhance valorization A. fruits, was characterized, first time, ripening. In this study, four distinct ripening stages (green, yellow, orange red) were considered. Several preliminary quality parameters determined. The nature compounds making part walls elucidated through Fourier?transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR) spectral datasets analyzed using unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA). High-performance anion-exchange chromatography pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) employed assess monosaccharide composition, lignin measurements performed following acetyl bromide soluble methodology. addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed observe some relevant aspects microstructure Significant on composition these mostly found by end process when reached red-ripe stage. Glucose, xylose arabinose determined as major neutral sugars. Furthermore, assessment unveiled abundance aggregated sclereids, showed are highly lignified. richness monosaccharides, such glucose xylose, may suggest role displayed polyphenol hemicelluloses like xylans xyloglucans, which supported FTIR-ATR assignments. It hypothesised high amounts herein associated sclereids. Relevant data also obtained fundamental other Ericaceae berries.