Observation with a Laser and Optical Microscope for Emarginated Fruits Surface of Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.)

Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) production in Japan has recently experienced a huge incidence of emarginated fruit and decreased product quality. Aging spot fruits often suddenly occur when air temperature becomes higher, but its mechanism has not been researched. We demonstrated the differences of aging spot and non-aging spot fruit surfaces using a laser and optical microscope, and we discussed it. The fruit surfaces were observed with a laser microscope to confirm whether the fruit is really emarginated. After a fruit surface was sliced as thinly as possible, it was observed with an optical microscope to analyze the structure of the cell below the pericarp. The non-aging spot fruits had a flat surface and regularly-structured cells below the pericarp, however, aging spot fruits had emarginated surfaces and broken-structured cells below the pericarp and spoiled.