Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen über den Aufbau kräftig entwickelter Cuticulae von Apfelfrüchten

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Abstract
It has been possible by means of the ultramicrotome technique to determine the structure of strongly developed plant cuticles for example, apples, which because of their thickness are not sufficiently penetrable electron microscopically to determine the fine structure without isolating the epidermis. In cuticles poor in natural contrast a high contrast effect can be attained by the use of osmium tetroxide and at the same time the observation of the submicroscopic structure of the cuticle as well as the topographic distribution of cuticular substances which contain unsaturated double bonds is facilitated. The strongly developed cuticles of different varieties of apples show a microscopically evident fine structure in the form of multiple, periclinally running, lamella-like layers. Cuticular components with unsaturated double bonds are evident in the electron microscopic image as distinct, dark stained, strongly contrasting dark flecks, as a diffuse varnish-like coating, and as constituents of individual layers. In contrast to observations with the light microscope the cuticle appears to be not compact but broken up by the development of lacunae. The reality of the lacunae is discussed. A natural porosity of the cuticle of apple fruits could not be observed.

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