| Hair in Apples Causes Browning |
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| Written by Erika Fredrickson | |
| Wednesday, 02 April 2008 | |
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Scientists have discovered “callus hairs” in the flesh of Fuji apples that may cause early internal browning. No need to get squeamish. These “hairs” are just those little white tufts you sometimes see around apple seeds, and they are neither real hairs nor a fungus. That said, the hair isn't exactly great for farmers who harvest the apples and find the insides browned. More studies need to be conducted to find out why these hairs turn good apples bad, but scientists think the hairy tufts restrict the continuous flow of C02 and oxygen throughout the apples' cells. If, indeed, these hairs are the culprit, Fuji apple farmers can begin to breed parent apples that have good traits but lack the fuzz. The only thing is, those callus hairs are rich in phytonutrients. It's hard to say if this is just another case where fruit is bred for hardiness over healthiness. Currently, scientists are looking to investigate how growth conditions and orchard management may also affect the development of apple hair. Source: Science Daily |
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