Characterization and origination of the pigment that causes postharvest skin blackening in Fuyu persimmon fruit

The skin blackening of Fuyu persimmon (Diospyros kaki cv. ‘Fuyu’) fruit significantly affects its postharvest quality. In this study, the pigment that causes this skin blackening was characterized, and its origin was identified. The pigment was mainly deposited either on the cell wall or in the intercellular spaces of cells around the sclerenchymal cells in skin tissue. A visible light absorption test showed the pigment to be similar to melanin....